Welton Rovers 1 Bitton 0

Welton achieved only their second league win of the season and gained three valuable points with a battling performance against Bitton.

The first Saturday league game of the year played at West Clewes for Welton saw them press early on and after only five minutes, a great through ball from Anthony Conradi found Dan Cottle in space and his first time goal bound effort saw Bitton keeper, Jamie Powell, pull off an outstanding save to tip the shot over the bar.

Welton continued to press and Lewis Dunn and Cottle went close with efforts. The visitors looked dangerous on the break and a shot on the turn from the lively Joe Darwa landed on the roof of the Welton net.

Welton responded and smart play from Steve Bridges saw him thread through a quality pass that found Cottle and his shot was cleared by the Bitton defence. On the stroke of half-time, Darwa broke through the Welton defence and his shot went inches wide of the Welton far post.

The second half started in dramatic fashion. Straight from the kick-off, Welton

attacked from the left, a quality pass found Dunn, he rose above the Bitton defence and met the ball and saw his header strike the near post and inched its way into the net to give Welton the lead.

Welton didn’t rest on their laurels and continued to press their visitors. Cottle’s shot was saved at the second attempt by Powell. Then a long goal kick from Welton keeper, Sam Lewes, saw the ball beat the Bitton defence and fall to Chris Pile, who was free on goal, but he skewed his shot wide of the goal. Minutes later, further Welton pressure saw Dunn race into the area only to be upended by keeper, Powell. Referee, Ogles, immediately pointed to the spot, but surprisingly didn’t punish Powell. Charlie Maddison stepped up to take the kick, but his placed shot was saved at full stretch by Powell.

The visitors probed, but didn’t really cause the Welton defence too many problems and in the end, Welton ran out worthy winners, which secured three valuable points in their relegation dog fight.

Bob Allard