Welton Rovers progressed to the Second Round of the Les Phillips Cup, thanks to an exemplary performance against their Premier Division opponents, Sherborne Town.

The opening 45 saw the First Division side cede too much respect to their higher league opponents, as Sherborne dictated the patterns of play, looking more assured throughout the opening exchanges. Even then though, there were signs of what would eventually prove to be the Dorset side's downfall, as repeatedly and needlessly, they gave away free kicks in dangerous positions through clumsy, rather than reckless, challenges.

Sherborne took the lead after a raking ball through the left-hand channel saw Matt Day get in behind Carl Stone in the Welton defence, latch on to the pass and slot low past Dan Tamblyn in the Welton goal. This was Tamblyn's first appearance for Welton Rovers this season, making the step-up from the Reserves due to Scott Armstrong being cup-tied and Andrew King still struggling with injury. It was apparent throughout the match, however, that Welton are spoilt for choice between the posts as Tamblyn's performance was

assured and commanding for the full ninety.

Sherborne's opener spurred Welton into life and as the

visitors came further into the game, the home side became more fraught, with a member of the Sherborne coaching staff being sent from the dugout by the referee, shortly before Beale, in the Sherborne goal, saved well from a clever finish from Rovers' Conradi. There was nothing he could do shortly after, when Welton equalised right on half-time. A perfectly placed corner from the left boot of Dan Cottle was met on the six-yard line by Michael Jones, whose run from deep was unseen by the Sherborne defence and his stooping header bulleted in for the equaliser.

Welton came out in the second half buoyed by their timely equaliser and immediately asserted themselves as the better side, something which didn't change for the next 45 minutes. They took the lead on the hour mark. Tom Pawley sprayed a pinpoint crossfield ball to Conradi, whose header across the box was brought down by Captain, Chris Peck. His strength was too much for his marker and he shuffled the ball to the six-yard line where Midsomer Norton boy, Ryan Allen, span and finished on his left foot for his third goal in the last four games.

The victory was secured with a goal of the highest quality, fifteen minutes from time. A half-cleared Cottle corner was controlled on the chest by Anthony Conradi, on the edge of the Sherborne box. He took another touch to tee himself up, then, as defenders charged him down, unleashed an unstoppable hooked volley that roared into the top corner. All ten outfield Welton players rushed to the corner flag to join in his celebrations as the many travelling Welton supporters rejoiced on the sidelines, well aware they'd just witnessed a goal deserving of winning any game.

Welton's cup form this season has been superb, with them also advancing into the Second Round Proper of the FA Vase, where they will face Shepton Mallet thia Saturday, 22nd November, at Shepton's Playing Fields (3 p.m. kick-off).

West Clewes Boss, Nick Beaverstock, urges Midsomer

Norton to come and support his team in the FA Vase at local rivals, Shepton Mallet this weekend. "Going on a cup run brings so many positives. It lifts people's spirits, it attracts new people to the club who wouldn't have given it a go before and it breeds confidence. So, if we could get a win at Shepton on Saturday that would be four wins in the FA Vase and we would be in the last 64 of what is a national competition – and that would be huge for us.

"Make no mistake though, Shepton are going to be favourites, because they play in the division above us and have a much bigger budget at their disposal. Nevertheless, we've got a great squad together here at Welton now and as we've proved several times, on our day we are a match for anyone.

"We need all the support we can get and I would urge as many people from Midsomer Norton to make the short trip over the hill to Shepton on Saturday. It promises to be a great cup tie and tough local derby."