The points were shared in this Premier League basement encounter at West Clewes, which saw both sides desperately going all out for survival.

Welton’s first effort of the game saw a good effort from Dan Cottle blocked by Jordan Paton in the Clevedon goal. Welton continued to press and good play by Lewis Dunn saw him thread his pass to Chris Pile in front of goal and just as he pulled the trigger, a last gasp tackle from James Robinson saw him clear the danger.

On 25 minutes the visitors were awarded a free kick 30 yards out in front of the Welton goal. Up stepped Daine O’Connor and his rasping shot was palmed away by Sam Lewis in the Welton goal, but Alex White was first to react and he slotted the ball into the Welton net. Welton responded to this setback and Pile fired over the bar and just before the half-time whistle, a goal-bound header from Dunn saw Paton bring off an outstanding save to deny Welton the equaliser.

The second half started with Welton bringing on Ben Horan in place of Pile who was unwell. Welton were searching for the equaliser and good play by Cottle saw him find Horan in space on the edge of the area, his first time shot whizzing inches wide of the Clevedon post. The visitors responded and Lewis produced an outstanding one-handed save from close range to deny Adam Buckley and the visitors a second goal.

Charlie Maddison then broke through the static Clevedon defence, only to see his shot saved by the trailing leg of Paton. It was all Welton now and excellent play down the left from Cottle saw him find Steve Bridges and at an acute angle, his shot/cross rolled along the Clevedon bar until it went out.

The Green Army were wondering whether the pressure would ever pay off, but they were rewarded with seven minutes to go when the ball fell to Maddison who was 20 yards out in front of the Clevedon goal and he launched an absolute thunderbolt of a shot that flew directly into the Clevedon net, giving the keeper, Paton, no chance and sending the Green Army into raptures.

Aqua Sulis Financial Services’ Man of the Match was Dan Scrivens for Welton Rovers.

Bob Allard