Welton completed their 3,000th Western League game at Devizes and came away with three more valuable points that started the New Year off in fine fettle.
The game got underway on a heavy pitch and Welton had the advantage of the very strong freezing wind behind their backs. The first action of the game saw a positive run from George Pawley into the Devizes box, he found Dan Cottle in space and his first-time shot was saved by Devizes keeper, Matt Tilley.Welton continued to press and Ryan Allen was through on goal, only to be denied by brave goalkeeping from Tilley. The home side's first effort of the game was a long-range free kick from Robbie Mitchell that was safely gathered by Andy King in the Welton goal. Anthony Conradi then got into the action and his cracking goalbound shot was deflected for a corner.
Devizes keeper, Tilley, then found himself in the referee's notebook for what was seen as a totally over-the-top reaction to a corner being given. This was followed a minute later by Blaine Fitzgerald also going in the book for another reaction to a decision by referee Williams.
Welton did get the ball in the home side's net when a free kick from Cottle landed in the mix and the ball trickled over the line through a melee of players, but the goal was disallowed for a foul by a Welton player in the box. It was all Welton as half-time approached, an effort from Michael Jones flew over the bar and an effort from Cottle went inches wide. Right on half-time, Welton took a deserved lead when Captain, Chris Peck, met a cross from the right, rose above his marker to launch a stunning header that flew into the Devizes net.
The second half began with a long-range effort from Fitzgerald that flashed past the Welton post. Welton responded and Conradi was put through on goal, only to be denied by the keeper.
Welton were taking the game to the home side and Allen broke through the static Devizes defence and with the goal at his mercy, he shot wide. However, minutes later, Allen made amends when a corner from the right fell at the far post. It was headed over to the near post where Allen was on hand to nod the ball into the Devizes net to make it two for Welton.
The home side were shellshocked as Welton totally dominated the game, a cracking shot from George Pawley grazed the Devizes post and Devizes' keeper, Tilley's left leg thwarted a certain goal for Conradi. The Welton Manager brought on new signing, Joe Garland, to make his debut for Welton. As full-time approached, Welton nearly got a third when a tremendous shot from Allen crashed against the Devizes bar.
With top teams, Barnstaple and Cribbs, drawing, these were a valuable three points for Welton.