FA Vase First Round Qualifying: Welton Rovers 0-0 Wells City Match abandoned after serious injury to player.

Before the kick-off in this FA Vase match there was a respectful minutes applause for former Welton Rovers Club Secretary Geoff Baker who sadly passed away recently, aged 69 after a battle with illness. Rest in Peace Geoff.

In goal for Welton was youngster Frankie Phillips who was making his debut for the club. An early corner for Welton saw Will Gould deliver the ball into the mix and break the corner flag at the same time. Minutes later Gould saw his shot from distance fly high over the Wells bar.The visitors responded and a chipped effort from Charlie Moon failed to trouble Phillips. However, Phillips did well to save low down to deny Harry Warwick. Welton pressed and a cracking curving shot from Connor Linham saw Tom Creed in the Wells goal pull off a class diving save to deny Welton the lead, and at the other end Phillips then produced another quality save to deal with Moons’ volley as the game was going from end to end. However, in the 14th minute Welton captain and centre half Courtney Charles suffered a serious ankle injury following an innocuous tackle with a Wells player. Referee Simpson suspended play immediately whilst Courtney received lengthy treatment from both physios and eventually he was conveyed to hospital by ambulance and the game was abandoned.

All at Welton Rovers from Directors, Supporters and The Green Army wish Courtney a speedy recovery and hope he is back with us soon.

Bob Allard