Brimscombe & Thrupp 2 Welton Rovers 1

Welton’s historic unbeaten run finally came to an end in the Cotwolds when they lost out to their Hellenic Premier League opponents by a late goal in a cracker of a tie and Welton can count themselves very unlucky that they didn’t take the game to penalties.

The game got underway in the picturesque setting of The Meadow and it was the hosts who took the game straight to Welton. A long throw from James Campbell landed in the Welton area and caused concern before it was eventually cleared by Joe Garland. Then a wayward defensive clearance from Welton saw the ball fall to Charlie Price, who raced goalwards and as he was about to pull the trigger, Garland was on hand to make the vital tackle.

Welton were taking time to settle and were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply. Another mistake saw the ball fall to striker, Jack Smith and his first time effort flew inches over the Welton bar.

The visitors finally responded and an attack led by Chris Pile saw Brimscombe keeper, Gavin Jones safely gather the ball on the goal line. Then further good play by Welton saw Courtney Charles race down the flank and deliver a pass that saw the ball fly across the area wanting a Welton foot to connect with it.

Just before the half hour mark, Brimscombe took the lead, again a sloppy clearance from Welton saw the ball fall at the feet of Ollie Pitt, who saw his first time shot fly past Welton keeper, Alfie Kelsey and into the Welton net.

This galvanised Welton into attack mode and Garland launched a long-range effort when he saw the keeper way off his line. The hosts then suffered their own defensive mix-up when a loose ball fell to Charles who threaded the ball through to top scorer, Jake Slocombe who calmly slotted the ball into the net to equalise for Welton.

The game was going from end to end and young Welton keeper Kelsey did well with a fingertip save to deny Smith and just before the half-time whistle, Price glanced his header just wide of the Welton far post.

The first action of the second half saw a twenty-yard stunner from Pile palmed away by keeper Jones for a corner. Welton were pressing the hosts with their neat, attractive attacking football, but the final ball just went astray.

At the other end, another long throw from Campbell saw the ball fall to Smith who set up Price only to see his effort go wide of the target. Good play again by Charles saw him set up Pile, who raced into the area and there was a half-hearted penalty appeal as Pile tumbled to the ground.

Welton continued to probe and excellent play in midfield by Lewis Coleman saw him approach the area and then let fly with a cracking shot that was narrowly off target. Kelsey was then called into action again at the other end when he denied the hosts a second goal with an outstanding close range save.

As the minutes ticked by both teams appreciated the importance of the next goal and this was reflected in the end to end nature of the game. Brimscombe’s Captain Pitt was sin binned for something he said to the referee. With only two minutes remaining and the prospect of a penalty shootout looming, it was the hosts who got the vital second goal. Good play on the left hand side of the Welton area by Ben Snook and Smith saw Welton fail to win the ball and it was thread through the mix and fell to Dave Woodfield, who fired home from close range. Welton’s heads didn’t drop and they pressed for the equaliser. The hosts had their keeper to thank as he first denied Will Gould and Jacob Watson respectively, with quality saves and right at the end, a corner on the right for Welton was met by Jake Bird, whose glancing header had goal written all over it only to divert at the last minute and fly an inch past the far post of the Brimscombe goal.

Despite the result, Welton can take heart in their all-round performance which was a credit to the team and much appreciated by the travelling Green Army.

Welton still remain unbeaten in the league and next Saturday, Welton are on their travels again this time to Wincanton.

Bob Allard