Welton enjoyed another profitable outing into Wiltshire with a comfortable victory over Malmesbury on a freezing cold afternoon.

The first action of the game saw Steve Bridges brought down on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area. Up stepped Chris Pile, who launched a free kick which kept low and had ‘goal’ written all over it, until Malmesbury keeper, Adam Clatworthy, somehow managed to parry the ball away for a corner.

Pile delivered the corner which was met by Joe Battrick, but his header flew over the bar. Further good work by Welton saw Courtney Charles set up Battrick, and his cracking shot thumped against the Malmesbury bar.

The hosts’ response was a long-range effort from Josh Hughes, who saw Welton keeper, Tom Drewitt, off his line. However, the keeper scurried back and was able to divert the ball away from the goal. Malmesbury were getting more into the game, and striker, Ed Wilkins, was put through on goal and really should have scored, but he skewed his shot wide.

On the half-hour, Welton took the lead when good play by Jackson Hamilton saw him find Charles in space, and the striker leathered his shot past the keeper into the Malmesbury net to score his third goal for Welton since his debut last week.

The second half began with Malmesbury pressing, and a spot-on tackle by Bridges denied Scott Reynolds, who was through on goal. Welton responded, and in the 50th minute got the all-important second goal. A long throw from Callum Elms on the left caused all sorts of problems for the Malmesbury defence, who were unable to clear their lines. The ball eventually fell to Lewis Coleman, who drilled his shot through a crowd of players and into the net.

Minutes later, Welton got a third when a quality corner on the right from Elms was met at the near post by Battrick, who tapped in from close range. The home side had little to offer, and Welton dominated proceedings and were rewarded in the 70th minute with a fourth goal. A ball out of defence from Welton found Charles, who tore through the static Malmesbury defence to finish off in style to make it four goals in two games for the striker.

After the game, there was a presentation by the Chair of Welton Rovers FC, Malcolm Price, to Callum Elms, who is leaving the club to start a new life and career in New Zealand. All connected with Welton wish Callum all the very best for the future.

Bob Allard