Welton gained three priceless points in their fight for Premier League survival, with a quality, all-round team effort meaning they thoroughly deserved their win over the visitors from the other side of the Mendips.

A bumper Good Friday crowd at West Clewes saw the game get underway in bright Spring sunshine and it was Shepton who pressed early on. Welton had full back, Dan Scrivens, to thank when he made a great saving tackle in the six-yard box to deny the visitors a clear shot on goal.

Former Welton player, James Billing, then set up Tyson Pollard and his strike on goal was saved by the trailing leg of Welton keeper, Sam Lewis. Welton responded to this early pressure and Chris Pile tore down the right flank, only to be stopped in his tracks by a clinical foul from Lee Davidson.

Another Shepton attack saw Ash Willmott’s header hit the Welton bar. Dan Cottle then broke through the visitors’ defence to be one-on-one with the keeper, Jamie Rothwell, who did well to close him down and make him skew his shot off target. The lively Cottle was tormenting the Shepton defence and a first time shot from him was saved low down by Rothwell.

With five minutes to go before half-time, Welton took the lead when a run down the right from Cottle saw him drive into the Shepton area, launch a low shot that flew into the mix and strike the unfortunate Liam Watson on the leg, flying into the Shepton net.

The second half started with early pressure from the visitors and after only a couple of minutes, a very strong penalty appeal for handball by a Welton defender was denied by referee, Bull. A long range shot from Welton youngster, Charlie Cook, went wide of the target. Further good play from Cottle on the right saw him drive in a great cross into the mix and Lewis Dunn was an inch away from making contact with the ball. Shepton then had three corners in quick succession as they went all out for the equaliser and Welton keeper, Lewis, did really well to grab the ball from the third corner under the bar, whist under intense pressure from the Shepton attack.

This was followed up by a cracking shot from twenty yards out from Tyson Pollard that rocked the Welton bar. Welton had brought on Charlie Maddison for Pile and in the 65th minute, a long throw from Maddison found Cottle in space on the edge of the Shepton area and his power driver of a shot could only be palmed away by Rothwell. Dunn was first to react and he slotted the ball into the Shepton net from close range, much to the delight of the Green Army.

The visitors rang the changes using all three substitutes, but in the end the Welton defence held firm and dealt confidently with all that was thrown at them. When referee, Bull, blew the final whistle, there were great scenes of delight on and off the pitch from the players and Green Army supporters.

Aqua Sulis Financial Management Man of the Match went to the whole Welton team!

Bob Allard