WELTON Rovers and Shirehampton played out a goalless draw in challenging conditions at West Clewes in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League.

The rock-hard pitch, swirling warm wind, and blazing summer heat made fluid football difficult, contributing to a tight, low-scoring affair. Shirehampton started brightly, with Eddie Polaine testing Welton keeper Massimo Sardo early on. Sam Hopes also came close with a well-struck volley that flashed past the far post.

Welton responded through Lewis Hunt, whose long-range effort narrowly missed, and Toby Cole, who was denied by a brave save from Shirehampton’s Kieran Webster. In a rare moment of controversy, Webster was penalised for holding the ball too long, but the resulting corner came to nothing.

The second half saw Welton push forward, with Hunt again forcing a save from Webster. Hopes responded with a powerful strike from distance that flew just over the bar.

Welton captain Chris Pile delivered a dangerous corner met by Reuben Hobbs, whose header found the side netting.

As twelve minutes of added time approached, both teams surged in search of a winner. Sardo tipped Ryan Radford’s effort wide, while Geno Angelinetta’s solo run and shot narrowly missed the target. Webster continued to frustrate Welton, palming away Lewis Russell’s goal-bound strike. In the dying moments, Pile’s thunderous shot rattled the crossbar, denying Welton a dramatic late winner and their first three points of the season .Despite the lack of goals, the match was full of effort and near-misses, with both sides showing resilience in difficult playing conditions.

Meanwhile, Sturminster Newton United gained a 2-0 home win over Almondsbury to lead the first division by three points, from two other sides Bristol Telephones and Longwell Green Sports who both have nine points from their opening four matches. Devizes Town and Bitton are one point further adrift.

Bob Allard