WELTON Rovers went down 4-0 at home to neighbours Paulton Rovers as they began their run of pre-season friendlies on a warm and sunny evening at West Clewes.

After falling to relegation in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League last season, Welton were a changed side from top to bottom but found it tough against a Paulton side that was sporting a number of new faces themselves.

The first goal for the visitors came early when Kitan Jaiyeoba nodded the ball home from a corner. The rest of the half played out with the visitors doing most of the probing but unable to add to their tally.

Alfie Kelsey was only troubled once in Paulton’s goal as he took an easy catch from a free kick.

The second half followed in much the same pattern and Kitan grabbed his second from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after a Welton player handled in the box.

The third came five minutes later as a freekick could only be parried away straight to ‘trialist’ who was able to tap in from close range.

The fourth came in the 77th minute and was the goal of the game. After a good move on the right, a cross came in that found Dan McBeam in space in the box and he swept the ball in with a well taken volley.

The work rate was high from the Paulton team and there were some good signs of things to come. New signings Asa White, Joel Smedley and Kyle Witt all looked comfortable and fitted in. Alfie Kelleher looked lively after stepping up from the under 18s and made one mazy run that caught the eye before being unceremoniously dumped on the ground by a Welton player.

Jon Green