WELTON Rovers lost their fourth successive game in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League when they made the short trip to Keynsham fresh from their Vase victory over Chipping Sodbury and went down to a 2-0 defeat in mid-week, writes Bob Allard.

On a warm summer night and in front of a sizeable crowd, Welton produced a spirited and enterprising performance but were left frustrated after leaving Bristol Road without the point their efforts deserved.

Keynsham, who had lost their previous game at Radstock in the Vase following a penalty shootout, began with purpose, forcing a succession of early corners that Welton initially defended well.

However, after only three minutes the hosts made the breakthrough. A well‑flighted corner found defender Richard Wathen, who climbed highest to direct a powerful header off the far post and into the net.

Welton’s response was immediate. A cross from the right picked out Twain Plummer, whose side‑footed effort beat goalkeeper Jack Dennehy but agonisingly struck the base of the upright, rolled along the goal line, and was eventually cleared.

The game continued at a brisk tempo, with Welton keeper Sam Thomson producing a smart block to deny Kyle Simpson‑Cameron. Welton then came close twice through Ben Wych. His first free‑kick from the edge of the area looked destined for the top corner until Dennehy clawed it away. The rebound fell kindly to Wych, whose first‑time strike was superbly turned behind by the Keynsham keeper, who was already proving a decisive figure.

Welton increased their tempo after the interval and pressed hard for an equaliser. Billy Ransome saw a snap‑shot hacked clear, while another excellent Wych free‑kick caused real uncertainty in the Keynsham defence before the midfielder flashed a shot narrowly across goal. Defender Harry Cade headed wide from a promising position, and substitute Reuben Hobbs saw his goal‑bound effort cleared off the line by an outstretched leg as Welton continued to threaten.

Their momentum was checked in the 70th minute when captain Caelen Simpson received a second yellow card and was dismissed. Despite being reduced to ten men, Welton rallied once more, and Dennehy produced another outstanding save to deny Ransome late on.

But with two minutes remaining, Keynsham mounted a rare attack. Substitute Toby Davis found space inside the area, turned sharply, and drove a low shot through a crowd of players into the far corner to seal the points and deliver a cruel blow to Welton’s hopes.

Welton’s performance was full of energy, resilience, and attacking intent, and they were unfortunate not to take something from the game. Keynsham’s early set‑piece goal and Dennehy’s exceptional goalkeeping ultimately proved decisive on a night where Welton’s efforts merited far more.

The result left Welton still without a point this season along with Almondsbury who had lost their opening three league matches, with a minus 12-goal difference compared to Rovers’ minus seven.

Odd Down (Bath) made it four successive wins with a 3-0 success at Bitton.