WELTON Rovers’ return to the first division of the Jewson Western League didn’t exactly go to plan as they suffered a 6-1 away defeat against Stuminster Newton.

Sturminster took the lead on 15 minutes when a corner from the left wasn’t cleared and a game of head tennis developed between attackers and defenders alike before the ball was headed home from close range by captain Nick Hewlett. Elliott Beavis scored a second for the home side with a great strike

Sturminster got a third in the 55th minute when Adam Hall met a cross from the left and kneed his shot in, and a couple of minutes later number four went in when Coleman headed home. Welton did pull one back in the 65th minute when a corner from the right was met by Alex Kieh, who rose above the defence to head home at the far post.

However, Sturminster responded with two more goals against Welton’s youngsters.

Bob Allard