Welton Rovers 2 AEK Boko 0

Welton stretched their unbeaten run to fourteen league matches and are now twelve points clear at the top of the table with a good win over League newcomers, AEK Boko, who were very impressive with their style of football and offered a hard challenge to Welton.

Welton started the game with two players making their debuts, youngster Alfie Kelsey between the sticks and on the left, Toby Cole signed from Wincanton.

On a warm, sunny afternoon and in front of a crowd of over 200 spectators it was Boko who took the game to Welton. A stinging cross come shot from Harrison Kyle tested Kelsey but he firmly held onto the ball. Welton responded and good work by James Batchelor saw him beat his marker and then thread the ball through to Jake Slocombe, who struck the ball towards the target only to see the trailing leg of Boko keeper, Luke Bond, keep the ball out and it fell to Joe Ellis, whose shot from 20 yards flashed past the post. Welton continued to press and Jake Bird waltzed through the defence only to see his final effort deflected for a corner. Lewis Russell’s delivery was met by Cole, but the debutant headed over. Batchelor then tormented the Boko defence as Welton pressed for the opening goal. Bond did well to deny Batchelor and a shot from Cole curled inches over the Boko bar.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when a free kick for Welton found Cole out on the left, he powered his way past two defenders and then calmly slotted the ball past the keeper into the net to score a very good goal on his debut, much to the delight of the Green Army.

The second half saw the visitors start off playing neat, attractive football, but they were unable to create too many clear cut chances that caused Kelsey concern in the Welton goal. Bond’s trailing leg came to Boko’s rescue again when he denied Slocombe’s effort. Welton continued to press and a flowing Welton attack saw the ball delivered into the mix and for a third time in the game Welton were denied by Bond’s trailing leg.

Despite all of Welton’s efforts the second goal wouldn’t come and the visitors sniffed a chance of an equaliser and a chipped shot from Drew Thomas flew just over the Welton bar. A swinging corner from the left for Boko was met by Kai Stenner, but his header was just off target.

Welton Manager, Tom Smith, rung the changes and brought on Lewis Coleman and Chris Pile to steady the ship for Welton. This appeared to do the trick, as the visitors appeared to be running out of steam and with ten minutes remaining, Welton secured the points. Great play by Coleman down the left saw him set up Cole with a top drawer pass. Cole raced into the area and with the keeper racing out to close him down launched a delicate chipped shot over the keeper and into the far corner of the net to score a stunning second goal on his debut.

This was an excellent result for Welton and the Green Army against one of the better sides seen at West Clewes this season. Welton dug in and with strength in numbers, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Bob Allard