LONGWELL GREEN SPORTS 1 WELTON ROVERS 0

Owing to injuries and suspensions to senior players, this was a much changed and youthful Welton side that made the trip to East Bristol.

Making his senior debut in goal for Welton was 16-year-old, Robson Cole, Welton’s Under 18s keeper. The team can count themselves very unlucky that they did not return to West Clewes with a point, which their efforts and play deserved.

A large following of the Green Army had made the trip to Longwell Green and certainly boosted the attendance of over a hundred.

The first action of the game saw a corner on the left for Longwell. The delivery from David Ryback saw the ball land on top of the Welton bar and was eventually cleared away by the Welton defence.

Welton countered and good work by striker, Rene Adigbo, down the right saw him try and lob the advancing keeper, Jamie Powell, only for the ball to fall to Dylan Hatt, whose cracking first time shot was saved by Powell.

Welton suffered an early setback when fullback, Reuben Hobbs, was injured and was replaced by Joe Stoppard. Cole was then called into action, with a good stop to deny Ryback.

Welton continued to press the host’s defence, with Harry Barter and Tom Lakeman combining well in attack. Longwell took the lead on the half-hour when a free kick on the right of the area was driven in by Luke Lecrass, Cole blocked the shot but the ball spun down and striker, Luke Bryan, was on hand to poke the ball home from close range.

Welton were awarded a free kick at the other end which was just outside the area. Up stepped Liam Evans and his quality strike was just wide of the target.

The second half began with young Cole called into action with a smart save to deny Bryan. A long clearance from Cole saw the ball fall to Adigbo who was on a charge, he rounded Powell on the edge of the penalty area and fired his shot towards the empty net, only for Loui Ward to race back and clear the ball off the goal line to deny Welton the equaliser.

At the other end, a rasping shot from Bryan was well saved by Cole. Adigbo was causing the Longwell Green defence all kinds of problems with his pace and hold up play and he was brought down on the edge of the area.

Chris Pile’s stunning goalbound strike was tipped over the bar at full stretch by Powell. Sam Roberts and Alex Wych were having outstanding games in the heart of the Welton defence, denying the hosts any clear cut chances on goal.

The lively Adigbo was brought down, yet again, on the edge of the area but this time Barter’s free-kick struck the wall and rebounded back to Pile, whose first-time effort went inches wide.

Just before full-time, Welton youngster, Kyle Morgan-Hemings, was brought on to make his senior debut for Welton. Despite the result, the team should be very proud of their commitment and effort against a top three side and credit also goes to Acting Manager, Tom Smith.

Welton Reserves, having secured a vital three points midweek with a 1-0 win over Fry’s Club Reserves, were brought down to earth on Saturday when they went down 4-0 at home to Ashton and Blackwell Reserves.

Welton are away to Wincanton and the Reserves travel to AFC Brislington on Saturday.

Bob Allard