This was a much-improved performance from Welton compared with previous matches and they can count themselves very unlucky they didn't return with all three points their play deserved. The only downside was a serious knee injury to new signing, Callum Stewart, which after a lengthy stoppage saw him stretchered off and taken to Salisbury Hospital by ambulance. All connected with Welton Rovers wish Callum a speedy recovery.

Manager Stuart Minall featured two new signings in the starting eleven for Welton, Callum Stewart in the back four and Paul Banks up front. Welton took the game to the home side straight from the kick-off and Barry Sandquist and Ryan Gay combined well and Gay's shot was cleared for a corner. The game was then held up for a few minutes when Welton full back, Dan Scrivens, got a boot in the face and needed lengthy treatment for a nasty mouth injury. Welton continued to press the home side and a terrific shot on the turn from Gay saw Shrewton keeper, Chris Brewer, pull off an outstanding one handed save that saw the ball fly over the bar from the goal line, an amazing save. Lewis Palmer then fired in a thunderous shot from the edge of the area that had goal written all over it until that man, Brewer, launched himself across his goal to tip the ball over the bar. Another fine attacking move from Welton involving Banks, Gay and Luke Palmer saw Gay's final shot saved yet again by Brewer who was having an outstanding game for the home side. It was all Welton and clever play from Banks saw him turn his marker inside out and fire in a cracking shot that grazed the Shrewton post. On the half-hour, Welton centre back, Callum Stewart, injured his knee and the game was held up for thirteen minutes whilst he received treatment and then stretchered off to be replaced by Greg Dando. The home side's first attack of the game came just before half-time when a shot from Archy Wilkinson flashed across the Welton goal.

The first action of the second half saw Banks break free of the Shrewton defence, as the keeper raced out to close him down, he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper only to see it hit a bump in the pitch and fly a couple of inches off target. The home side were beginning to get more into the game and a shot from Dean Foot flew over the Welton bar. Further good play from Welton saw Jack Metcalf set up Palmer but his effort went wide. Then a deep corner from the left was met by Gay in space, but the youngster headed over as Welton pressed for that all-important first goal. Welton were going all out for the goal their play deserved and further efforts from Gay and Palmer went close to breaking the deadlock. With under five minutes to go, Welton made the vital breakthrough, when Gay pounced on a good throughball that dissected the Shrewton defence and he calmly shot the ball into the far corner of the net to give Welton a deserved lead and send the travelling Green Army into raptures. Everybody thought that was that, however, the game had a sting in the tail when, well into added time, a dreadful back pass from out on the right flank was pounced upon by Foot who made no mistake in rounding Clayton Dando in the Welton goal and fired into the empty net to break Welton's hearts.

Bob Allard