WELTON Rovers put up a spirited display before going down 2-1 away to Avonmouth in their latest match in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League.

It was always going to be a tough match against a side looking good bets for promotion while Welton went into the game bottom of the table but with much improved displays of late.

A morning pitch inspection confirmed the surface at Avonmouth was just about playable, and match referee Ella Broad approved the fixture following a pitch inspection on her arrival.

Despite this, the pitch was heavy, wet in patches, and difficult underfoot, ensuring that fluent football would be hard to produce throughout the afternoon.

Welton handed a debut to new signing Ross Lye, and both sides initially struggled to adapt to the challenging conditions following more than a week of heavy rain.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when striker Courtney Charles was pushed in the back inside the penalty area, leaving referee Broad with little choice but to award the spot kick. Captain Matt Morris stepped up and drove his effort goalwards; although the Avonmouth keeper managed to get a hand to it, the power behind the strike carried the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead to the visitors.

The hosts responded with pressure of their own, firing one close‑range effort over the bar, but Welton’s defence stood firm. At the other end, Charles came close to doubling the lead when his low effort flashed across goal and narrowly wide.

In first‑half stoppage time, goalkeeper Will Hunter produced two excellent saves to preserve Welton’s advantage at the interval.

The second half had barely begun when Lye was adjudged to have fouled an Avonmouth attacker just inside the box, and Broad awarded a second penalty of the match. Full‑back Charlie Aldom converted confidently to level the scores at 1-1 with everything to play for.

Avonmouth, who were looking to bounce back after a 6-2 defeat away to Longwell Green Sports in their previous match, then enjoyed a strong spell and were rewarded in the 65th minute when George Brown delivered an excellent cross from the left, which was met by Josh Pearce, who finished clinically to put the hosts ahead.

Welton pushed hard for an equaliser, but their task became more difficult when Reuben Hobbs suffered a painful knee injury and was stretchered off, taking no further part in the match.

Despite their efforts, the visitors were unable to find a way back, and Avonmouth claimed all three points from a hard‑fought contest played in testing conditions.

Everyone at Welton sends their best wishes to Reuben and hopes for a swift recovery.

Meanwhile, Welton are back in action in the first division on Saturday, 7th February, with a short trip to Keynsham Town (kick-of 3p.m.). Rovers will be looking to complete the season’s double over their opponents, having beaten them 4-0 at home in the middle of last month.

Welton turned on the style that day, producing a dominant and action-packed performance to gain their first home victory of the season.

Rovers never looked back after taking the lead in the 22nd minute when Gio Angelinetta drove home a deep cross from the left. Welton led 2-0 at half time and maintained control in the second half.

Bob Allard