Welton’s search for vital league points continued at Shepton, but despite a credible late revival, they came away empty handed and remain rooted at the bottom of the table.
The pitch passed an inspection, but it was always going to be difficult on a very heavy surface. The first real effort of the match was a long range
effort from Welton’s Steve Bridges that went wide of the target. At the other end, Ben Lacey waltzed his way through the Welton defence, only to fire wide. Welton keeper, Sam Lewis, then gathered well under pressure, to deny Ross McErlain and minutes later, the centre-back met a free kick from the edge of the Welton area only to head over.
Just before the half-time whistle, Welton frontman, Anthony Conradi, twisted and turned into the Shepton area, setting up Dan Cottle, but his volley screamed over the Shepton bar. The second half began in lively fashion, with Lewis parrying a shot which then fell to Jake McCormick, in space, his first time effort was cleared by the Welton defence. At the other end, Shepton keeper, Jamie Rothwell, did well to save Cottle’s rasping shot that had goal written all over it. The home side then stepped up the anti and Lacey saw his shot saved by Lewis.
In the sixtieth minute, Shepton’s pressure paid off when Welton failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Pollard, who made no mistake with his well-struck shot. Ten minutes later, Welton were two down when McCormick set up Lacey, who calmly slotted the ball past Lewis into the far
corner of the net. Minutes later, McCormick raced goalwards, the Welton defence stood off and he fired in a cracking shot to score Shepton’s third. Welton substitute, Dan Scrivens’, first touch of the game,was to launch an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area that flew past Rothwell, hit the far post and flew into the net to pull a goal back.
As the game went into added time, Welton substitute, Charlie Maddison, was brought down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Maddison took the spot kick himself and made no mistake with his strike. Unfortunately, it was all too late for Welton, who face Clevedon Town at home this Saturday at 3 p.m.
Bob Allard