Welton gained three very valuable points in their promotion push against second in the table, Wincanton. Before the kick-off, Toolstation Western League Director, Malcolm Price, presented Welton's Joint Managers, Nick Beaverstock and Malcolm Beck, with the Toolstation Western League Division One Managers of the Month award for November on behalf of Boca Sport.
The game got underway on a crisp winter's afternoon at West Clewes and the visitors were straight out of the blocks and Welton defenders, Carl Stone and Ricky Scott, had to be right up for the game to deny Wincanton.
Problems in the back four saw Jack Mitchell slide in behind Welton keeper, Andy King, and it was only the run of the ball that saved Welton going behind. This scare woke up Welton and good play from Anthony Conradi saw him set up Dan Cottle and his snapshot was blocked by John Hill in the Wincanton goal.
Welton continued to press and Chris Peck found Ryan Allen in space and his effort was saved by Hill. In the eighteenth minute, Welton's pressure cracked the visitors' defence when an attack led by Ryan Allen saw him deliver a quality ball across the edge of the area that fell to Welton's Captain, Peck, who made no mistake when he drilled his shot into the Wincanton net. The visitors responded and a cracking shot from Lee Gale flew inches over the Welton bar. Wincanton equalised on the half-hour when a penetrating run down the right from Gale saw him bypass the Welton defence. King raced out to close him down, but Gale rounded the keeper to score a really top-class goal from a very acute angle.
Welton heads didn't drop and five minutes later, they had regained the lead. Great work from Peck down the right saw him find Michael Jones on a charge. He delivered a pinpoint ball into the mix and the brave Tom Pawley headed home under pressure from about two feet above ground level to score a very good goal. This was one of the best 45 minutes seen at West Clewes this season and great praise goes to both sides for providing such top class entertainment.
The second half couldn't match the first as the condition of the pitch deteriorated in the cold, damp conditions and both sets of players were trying to get to grips with the changing conditions. Peck found Cottle in space, who in turn found Tom Pawley free in front of an open goal, but he shot wide of the post. The visitors then used their long throw specialist, Andy Holmes, to launch the ball into the area to cause the home side's defence problems. This was followed up by a cracking shot from Dan Golden that flew over the Welton bar. Welton then realised that they had a game on and responded with efforts from Cottle and Peck going close. Welton's substitute, Mark Reynolds, then had a clear chance to secure the winner, but as he lined up his shot, the ball got stuck on the heavy ground and the shot was scuffed. Just before the final minutes, the Green Army's hearts were in their hands when Matt Peters broke through. King raced out of his goal to close him down, but Peters chipped the keeper, only to see his effort land on the roof of the Welton net.