WELTON Rovers moved out of the relegation zone for the first time in months after securing a crucial 2-1 home win over seventh-place Longwell Green Sports in the first division of the Jewson Western League, writes Bob Allard.

Green struck first after just ten minutes. Awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal, Shane Pierson stepped up and curled a superb effort into the top-left corner, leaving debutant goalkeeper Rob Brown with no chance.

Welton responded positively: George Boon twice went close, first hitting the side netting before forcing visiting keeper Sam Brown into a smart save. Full-back Harry Cade then pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a powerful strike that Brown did well to parry at full stretch.

Lewis Russell’s dangerous low cross fizzed across the six-yard box without a finishing touch, and just before the interval Matt Morris burst through the defence only to fire over.

Longwell Green came out strongly after the restart, with Isaac Flynn finding space to toe-poke an effort onto the Welton crossbar. The visitors maintained the pressure, and Billy Hensler saw another attempt drop onto the roof of the net.

Welton were forced to withstand a sustained spell of attacking play. Manager Wayne Thorne made a decisive change on 68 minutes, introducing Will Hunter and pushing Courtney Charles forward. The switch paid off almost immediately. Charles rose above his marker to flick on a long ball, sending Morris charging through, and the forward finished clinically to level the scores.

Within a minute, West Clewes erupted again. A poor clearance from keeper Brown fell to Welton captain Caelen Simpson, who returned it with interest, driving the ball into the net to complete a dramatic turnaround.

Longwell Green, stunned by the quickfire double, struggled to regain momentum, and their frustration deepened when their manager was dismissed from the dugout shortly before full time.