Welton recorded their first victory over neighbours Radstock Town since 2014 in the Coalfield Classico with a devastating spell of attacking football in the space of five second half minutes that saw two goals chalked up, sinking the ‘Miners’ hearts.
The game got underway in front of a large crowd, and the visitors had the advantage of the strong wind blowing down the ground in the first half.
Both sides were probing each other looking for the vital pass. A fine penetrating run down the left flank from Welton’s Steve Bridges saw him find Chris Pile on a charge down the right, but his first-time effort flew wide of the target. The visitors responded, and Tom Drewitt in the Welton goal saved well to deny James Russell.
Pile was in the action again, and other effort from him flashed across the six-yard box, crying out for a foot to connect with it. As the half progressed, Radstock were using the wind and mounting pressure on the Welton back four, where Joe Garland and Tom Smith were commanding form.
Radstock were awarded a series of corners, and one such delivery from Morgan Skipp saw the ball curl in towards the far post and the net, only for Drewitt to react with a great fist-out from the goal-line. Just before the half-time whistle, a scramble in the Welton six yard box saw the ball creep goalwards and there were shouts that the ball had crossed the line, but the referee and linesman – who was dead in line – ruled that it had not.
The second half began with both sides going all-out to break the deadlock, and an early effort from Skipp went wide of the target. The all-important opening goal came in the 60th minute for Welton.
Great attacking play saw the ball fall to Aaron Cockerill in the ‘Miners’ goal area; he beat off two challenges, lost the ball but regained his composure with sheer determination and won it back, slotting the ball past Myles Woodward in the Radstock goal to send The Green Army into raptures of delight.
Five minutes later, Welton got a second. A free kick was delivered into the area, where it was met by Lewis Coleman, who turned and saw his first effort blocked, but he made no mistake with his second as he planted his shot into the Radstock net to send West Clewes crazy.
The ‘Miners’ were shellshocked by these setbacks, and Welton nearly got a third when a great shot from Courtney Charles flew inches-wide of the goal. Welton were playing ‘keep’ football, and the ‘Miners’ looked tired. In the end, it was Welton who came out on top, much to the delight of The Green Army.
Bob Allard