In a game that was spoiled by a gale-force wind and sweeping, heavy rain showers, quality football was always going to be at a premium, however, credit must go to both sides who did their best in extreme conditions.
After sterling work by Welton's groundsman, Steve Sims, the pitch passed an early morning inspection and was deemed fit to play. Welton's new signing, from Larkhall, James Moon, was making his debut at full back. Welton started the game with the strong wind behind them.
A long goal kick from Welton keeper, Andy King, reached the Barnstaple penalty area and was cleared for a corner. The subsequent corner kick saw the ball taken by the wind and it flew over the Barnstaple bar. The visitors' first effort was a free kick from Jack Jenkins that was safely gathered by King.
Welton pressed with the wind behind them and they won a series of corners which all came to nothing. Anthony Conradi on a charge was brought down on the edge of the Barnstaple area and Dan Cottle's terrific free kick took a deflection and James Thorne, in the visitors' goal, pulled off an outstanding save to tip the ball over the bar. The subsequent corner was taken by Conradi and the keeper could only parry the ball, which fell at the feet of Byron Lismore, who thumped the ball into the net to give Welton the lead.
Barnstaple responded and a great shot from Jed Harper-Penman saw his effort palmed away by King. Good work by Andrew Keen saw him dribble his way through the Barnstaple defence, only to be upended on the edge of the area. Conradi's free kick was taken by the wind and flew high over the woodwork.
The second half began with no improvement in the conditions and a shot from Lee Francis went a foot wide of the Welton post. Welton responded and a charge from Dan Scrivens saw him find Paul Banks on the right and the striker fired in a thunderbolt of a shot that had goal written all over it, until Thorne made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Welton a second goal.
Welton did get a second goal in the 55th minute. A header back to his keeper from the visitors' central defender, Josh Phillips, was held up by the wind and Banks nipped in, got the ball, rounded the keeper and fired into the empty net. Barnstaple's heads didn't drop and they continued to press the Welton defence. They were awarded a controversial corner midway through the half and the ball flew over the area and landed at the feet of the unmarked Lee Francis and he calmly slotted the ball into the Welton net. It was all hands to the pump for Welton as the visitors pressed hard for the equaliser, but, in the end, Welton held firm and three more points were in the bag.