PORTISHEAD TOWN 1 WELTON ROVERS 2

Welton finally got their new season going with a trip to North Somerset and came away with all three points much to the delight of the travelling Green Army who had made the trip to Portishead.

Welton Manager Tom Smith had been busy in the close season with several new signings in the starting line. Welton were straight out of the blocks with an attack down the right led by Chris Pile and his perfect pass was met by Leon Clayton-Clarke who guided it to David Regula and his goal bound shot was blocked by the Portishead keeper. The hosts replied with a long range effort from George Parsons that sailed over the Welton bar. Portishead’s Louie Elliot looked a handful down the right and was troubling the Welton defence with his direct runs. Good play between the two front men of Portishead, Liam Villis and Joe Cattermole saw Matt Dunk save well in the Welton goal. At the other end the hosts keeper George Shanks-Boon saved low down to deny Kyle Box’s effort. Welton took the lead after 17 minutes, Regula was hauled down on a charge down the left, Alex Wych’s perfect free kick into the mix was met by Welton stalwart Joe Garland and his glancing header flew into the Portishead net to give the visitors a deserved lead. Welton continued to press and further good play by Regula found Courtney Charles in space before he was unceremoniously upended by Parsons who was rightly booked by referee Reed. Box’s free kick was driven in hard and was saved low down to his right by the Portishead keeper. The hosts equalised in the 35th minute when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Elliots quickly taken kick found Cattermole sneaking in behind the Welton wall and he drilled his shot into the Welton net. Just before the halftime whistle a cracking shot from Pile saw Shanks-Boon pull off a fingertip save to deny Welton a second goal.

Welton made a substitution at half time bringing on Liam Russel for Box, Portishead were pressing early in the half and Jack Sell drove through the Welton defence before finally being halted. The hosts continued to press with Sell and Elliot pressing down the flanks. Welton held firm and were unlucky not to get a second when good play down the left by Russell saw him deliver a quantity cross that was met by Joe Ellis and his rocket header flashed inches over the hosts bar. A long ball into the Portishead box saw the keeper flap at the ball which fell to Pile but his return shot went just wide of the target. Welton were on top and pressing for that all important second goal. Good play by Garland out of defence saw him deliver a great ball to Charles on a charge but the strikers effort went wide of the target. The game was getting intense and with ten minutes remaining a large melee ensued following an awful challenge on Russell. Once things had calmed down referee Reed was busy with his book showing yellowing cards to several players. However Russell was unable to continue due to a shoulder injury, and Welton had used all their substitutions so had to play out the game with ten men. As the game was well into added time Welton were awarded a free kick deep out on the left. The delivery flew into the area were it was met by man of the match Garland who headed the ball back across goal were it was met by Regula who thumped his effort straight into the back of the Portishead net to secure the points for Welton.

Next Saturday, 19th September Welton are in FA Vase action at West Clewes when South West Penisula side Cullompton Rangers are the visitors with a 3pm kickoff.   

All supporters and spectators are warmly welcome to West Clewes for the game but are reminded to follow the Covid Guidelines that the club has introduced. Spectators should only use the main entrance into West Clewes off North Road as the other two gates will be closed.

Bob Allard