WELTON ROVERS O WELLINGTON 1

THIS was another greatly improved performance from Welton who came within two minutes of securing their first point of the season in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League.

On a dank dismal afternoon at West Clewes it was Welton who took the game to the visitors and a pacey run from Tash Linton saw Welton earn a corner early on. The delivery wasn’t cleared properly by the Wellington defence and the ball fell to Josh Roddy, 20 yards out, and he returned the ball with pace and saw it thump against the visitors upright and away.

Sam Macfarlane then got into action for Welton and his long range effort went wide of the mark. Tash Linton was causing the visitors defence all kinds of problems with his runs and skill and one such attack saw him upended. Roddy’s subsequent free kick flew inches over the bar as Welton were firmly in the driving seat.

Chances were being created and Kieran Smith met a corner from the right only to see his effort go wide of the target. A cracking shot from Tash Linton saw him denied a goal by an outstanding full stretch diving save from Wellington keeper Jake Viney.

An error at the back nearly proved costly for Welton but keeper Mackenzie Welsh was on hand with a superb save to deny the visitors. Just before half time the Wellington post saved them again when a first time effort from Arian Askari thumped against the upright to deny Welton.

The visitors came out with all guns blazing in the second half. A shot from Josh Lukins was cleared away and Welton keeper Welsh was on hand to push away Sam Pashens long range shot.

Welton weathered the early second half storm and both sides pressed for the all important opening goal. Excellent defensive work by full back Macfarlane saw him clear away the danger for Welton on a couple of occasions and Welsh looked sharp in the Welton goal.

With all eyes on the clock the Green Army were thinking perhaps this could be the game when Welton collected their first point of the season. However with less than two minutes of the game remaining Welton gave away a free kick. The subsequent kick cannoned into the wall, flew out over to the right where Pashen was on hand to drill the return ball low into the Welton net.

Bob Allard