Bishops Lydiard 1 Welton Rovers 3

Welton maintained their 100% start to the season with a cracking victory over Bishops Lydiard which saw Welton pull out all the stops to secure the victory.

It was Welton who kicked off and within three minutes they had taken the lead. Good play down the right by Alex Wych saw him cut the ball inside to James Batchelor on a charge and he raced towards goal before placing his shot into the back of the hosts’ net.

Two minutes later, Welton nearly got a second when a free kick from out deep was delivered into the box where it was met by Jake Slocombe, whose goal-bound diving header was brilliantly saved by Lydiard keeper, Whatley. After this early setback the hosts started getting back in the game, but Matt Dunk in the Welton goal was rarely troubled.

However, Welton still looked dangerous on the break and a stinging shot from Butcher was saved well by Whatley. Just before the half-time whistle, a neat ball over the top of the Lydiard defence fell to Slocombe and he dinked past the on-rushing Whatley only to see his goal-bound shot cleared at the last second by a defender’s trailing leg.

The second half began with both sides seeking to control the early exchanges and create the chances in front of goal. It was Bishops Lydiard who made the breakthrough in the 65th minute.

Welton lost possession in midfield and the ball was passed out to Franco on the left flank, he squared his pass to Camillo, who let fly from the edge of the area and his shot took a deflection and flew into the bottom corner of the Welton net to equalise for the hosts.

Welton were awarded a free kick 25 yards out on the right. Up stepped

Slocombe and he struck the ball sweetly and watched it curl over the defence and fly straight into the top corner of the Lydiard net to score an excellent goal and his third goal in three games.

Welton secured the points when great play from Jake Bird saw him nutmeg his marker and find Slocombe in space on the edge of the area – he made no mistake as he drilled his shot into the Lydiard net. Bob Allard