Welton continued their winning ways with
a hard-fought victory over near neighbours, Radstock. Credit must go to both sets of players, who produced a cracking local derby on a very heavy pitch, which deteriorated as the rain continued to fall throughout the game.
The game got underway in front of a bumper Boxing
Day crowd of over 250 and Radstock's new signing, Luke Coulson, was making his debut for the club. He was involved with the first real action of the game when he raced down the left flank and into the area and fired in a good shot that went just wide.
Welton responded and a great run by Dan Cottle saw the youngster deliver a great cross that beat Ashley Moore in the Radstock goal and as Anthony Conradi roared in to head home, the ball suddenly dropped like a stone and then bounced away. Referee, Barter, was called into action when Welton's Steve Bridges and Carl Stone were both booked following a coming together with Radstock players.
The game was going from end to end, with former
Welton player, Jack Metcalf, going close for the home
side and Radstock's Player Manager, Lloyd Edgell, doing exceptionally well to deny Chris Peck with a quality tackle. A long-range shot from Tom Pawley flew over the Radstock bar and Conradi went close with another effort. Radstock keeper, Moore, then produced outstanding saves to deny Peck and Pawley.
Welton continued to press just before half-time and had a series of corners and Moore was on top form to deny Welton.
The second half began in spectacular style when virtually straight from the kick-off, a Radstock attack down the right by Danny Carter saw him deliver a pinpoint cross to Welton's near post, where Hardiman was first to the ball and flicked it from a very
narrow angle straight into the Welton net to send the home fans into orbit. Welton responded and Conradi was denied by a brilliant save.
Welton continued to press and Conradi went down in the area, but the referee waved away Welton's appeals for a penalty. Radstock continued to threaten and a first-time shot from Sam Gregory went inches wide of the Welton goal. Pawley was fouled on the edge of the Radstock area and up stepped Cottle, who produced an absolute gem of a free kick that went to the side of the wall, kept low and flew into the far corner of the Radstock net to equalise for Welton. The game was still going at a pace in spite of the deteriorating pitch.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Welton scored the all-important second goal when Conradi was put through, dissected the Radstock defence, kept his head and stayed cool and slid the ball into the net. Despite
Radstock's best efforts, the Welton defence held firm,
securing three more very valuable points. This was a cracking derby match and a real credit to the standard of local football.