WELTON ROVERS 1 PORTISHEAD TOWN 5

This was a disappointing result for Welton, who, despite their best efforts, were unable to worry the visitors too much and Portishead left West Clewes with a deserved three points.

The omens weren’t good for Welton in the first five minutes, when hesitation at the back allowed Callum Eastwood to pounce, and his effort went just wide of the target. The hosts responded with a great shot from Harry Barter that was cleared, before the ball fell to Rene Adigbo and his volley was deflected for a corner.

Welton continued to press, and good play by Tosin Oyebola saw him set up Liam Evans, but his shot was saved by Portishead keeper, George Shanks-Boon. Minutes later, the keeper produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Barter. This was followed by a long throw from Will Hunter that was met in the mix by Evans, but his header went over the bar.

From the subsequent goal kick, the visitors took the lead. A devastating flowing attack caught Welton on the hop and the ball fell to Paddy Royal, who slotted the ball past Tom Drewitt and into the Welton net. Portishead kept up the momentum, and a 25-yard shot that kept low, from Jack Sell, went just wide.

Then, Welton full-back, Alex Wych, was on-hand with a great last-ditch tackle to deny the lively Sell. Chris Pile then launched an attack for Welton and found Oyebola, and his first-time shot was saved by the trailing legs of Shanks-Boon. Sell continued to torment the Welton defence, but his finishing let him down.

The second half began with a quickfire attack from Welton led by Oyebola, who set up Pile, but his curled effort went inches past the far post. The visitors made it two in the 53rd minute, when good play on the left from Sell saw him beat his marker and deliver a chipped cross that was met by George Parsons, whose weak header went past Drewitt and into the net.

Minutes later, a cross from the right saw Drewitt fail to hold the ball which fell to Charlie Aldom, who got a toe to the ball that went towards the goal-line. Drewitt pushed it back onto the post, but the assistant referee was waving that the ball had crossed the line to make it three for Portishead.

Welton pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when hesitation in the visitors’ defence saw the ball fall to Adigbo, who blasted the ball into the net. Portishead responded and a cracking shot from Mitch Osmond rattled the Welton post.

Another attack led by Sell saw his cross flapped at by Drewitt, and the ball fell to ex-Welton player, Alex Chapman, who poked the ball into the empty net.

Just before full-time, Welton Captain, Tom Smith, was booked for a crunching tackle on the edge of the area. Up stepped Callum Eastwood to take the free-kick, and he delivered his effort around the wall and into the far corner of the net to score number five for the visitors.

This was not a good day at the office for Welton, and they have to pick themselves up for two difficult away games coming up. This Saturday, 5th October, Welton are away at Corsham Town; kick-off 3 p.m.

On a positive note, Welton Reserves kept up their 100% start of the season with an impressive 3-0 win at Portishead. They are at home this Saturday.

Bob Allard