WELTON Rovers went down to a 1-0 home defeat against Bristol Telephones in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League.

Welton welcomed the Bristol outfit to West Clewes under bright sunshine and a blustery wind. Both sides started brightly, but it was the visitors who threatened first. A cross from the right was spilled by Welton keeper Massimo Sardo, allowing Liam McCracken a shot that was deflected for a corner. From the resulting set piece, McCracken’s powerful strike flew just over the bar.

Telephones took the lead in the seventh minute. A long throw from the left caused confusion, and after a partial clearance, McCracken fired goalwards. Jamie Noble was well placed at the far post to tap in.

Welton responded with intent. Chris Pile created space and fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area. Louis Russell broke through but sliced his effort over, while Mason Kelsey forced a save from visiting keeper Ashton Trott.

At the other end, Sardo blocked a point-blank effort from Noble, and Welton’s defence scrambled clear under pressure. Just before the break, Archie Dark’s corner struck the Welton crossbar and rolled the length before going out.

Early in the second half, Welton suffered a blow when Sardo was injured in a challenge and replaced by centre-back Reuben Hobbs in goal. Hobbs impressed immediately, saving a 20-yard volley from former Welton player James Batchelor and later denying McCracken again.

Welton rallied late on. Substitute Mason Alden’s first-time strike flashed past the far post, and Pile’s surging run was halted by a high tackle from Ellis Yeeles, who was booked. Despite late pressure, Bristol Telephones held firm, and Welton remain winless this season with only three points from three draws.

Report by Bob Allard