Welton Rovers 3 Willand Rovers 5

This game was played in atrocious conditions of driving rain and gale force winds on a boggy, heavy pitch and it was a credit to both sides that the standard of football supplied was of a high order.

Welton took the lead after only three minutes, when Dan Cottle was found in space on the edge of the Willand penalty area, he struck a superb curling shot that flew into the far corner of the Willand goal.

The visitors equalised after six minutes from the penalty spot, James Blake was brought down in the area by Michael Jones and referee, Underhay, had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Jones was booked and Brett Worbey’s spot kick flew past Sam Lewis in the

Welton goal. Within a minute, Welton had regained the lead when Anthony

Conradi was chopped down in the Willand box and another penalty was awarded. The striker took the spot kick himself and fired his shot straight down the

middle into the Willand net.

After this hectic start, things calmed down a bit but both sides were doing their best to play attractive football in appalling conditions. Chris Pile went close for Welton, with a long-range shot and as half-time approached, Welton keeper, Lewis, saved well to deny Luke Durham.

The second half started with the rain and strong wind sweeping down the West Clewes pitch to the advantage of Willand and it was a Welton rear guard action that stemmed the flow.

On the break, Cottle went close for Welton and a last ditch block from Welton’s Ben Horan denied the visitors a goal-scoring opportunity.

Welton continued to upset the visitors’ charge and good play from Charlie Mattison saw him twist and turn on the edge of the Willand area and then fire in a cracking shot that thumped against the visitors’ post to deny Welton a third goal.

On the 70th minute, Willand equalised when substitute, Tom Bath, fired in a great shot that struck the inside of the Welton post and flew into the net.

A minute later, Welton were awarded another penalty after a melee in the area and a Welton player was tripped. Up stepped Maddison, who drilled in a quality penalty shot to give Welton the lead. Willand went all out for the equaliser, piling the pressure on the Welton defence which held firm until ten minutes from time, when they failed to clear their lines and substitute, Danny Bailey, was on hand to score.

Welton were now on the back foot as the visitors pressed and Willand got their reward when Bath volleyed home from ten yards out. Welton’s cause wasn’t helped when full back, Adam Casserley, was controversially sent off following a throw-in and on the stroke of full-time, Blake made it five with a late effort.

This was unbelievable fare at West Clewes, which was played in appalling conditions and credit goes to both teams for producing quality football – a credit to non-league football.

Bob Allard