Westbury Utd 2 Welton Rovers 0

Welton’s winless run, which goes back to mid-November, continued at Westbury, when they were knocked by two second half goals from the hosts.

The game got underway on a rainy afternoon but the pitch looked remarkably firm, as Westbury pressurised the Welton goal early on. George Bendle broke through the Welton defence only to see his effort cleared for a corner by Welton full back, Dan Veal. The subsequent corner was comfortably dealt with by Welton keeper, Charlie Phillips, who was on hand minutes later to deny former Welton player, Jamie Jordan.

Westbury continued to press and Welton were struggling to clear their lines. A good run into the Welton area by Jordan Pinder saw him set up Leon Greenland, but he scuffed his shot with the Welton goal at his mercy. A minute later, Greenland fired in another effort which was well saved by Phillips.

Welton eventually launched an attack and a run and shot from Shakeil Green saw his effort saved by Kieran Ramsey in the Westbury goal. Aaron Seviour then got into the action with a shot on the turn that was cleared for a corner.

As half-time approached, Welton’s best chance of the half saw an Aaron Cockerill free kick find Will Hunter in space in front of goal, but he headed wide. At the other end, Phillips produced a cracking save to deny Joe Kirkpatrick.

The second half started with neither side taking control and the game was bogged down in midfield with little fluent play on offer to entertain the large crowd. Neither goalkeeper was tested, as the final ball from both sides was going astray.

However, this situation all changed in the sixtieth minute when another former Welton player, Martin Johnson, launched a pacey run down the left flank, easily beating his marker and delivered a pinpoint cross that was met by Jordan and his glancing header saw the ball fly into the far corner of the Welton net.

Welton’s response to this setback was poor, as heads dropped and they were incapable of launching any meaningful attack on the Westbury goal. With five minutes to go before full-time, Westbury sealed the three points with their second goal when Jordan scored his second of the game, volleying home from twenty yards out. It is fair to say that the large numbers of the travelling Green Army that had made the trip to Westbury were not impressed with this Welton performance.

Bob Allard