THERE was no Christmas miracle for Welton Rovers when they suffered another defeat, this time by 5-0 to their neighbours from over the Mendips Shepton Mallet.

To be fair the endeavour and commitment of Welton’s players has to be admired especially when up against top teams. The game got started under murky, misty conditions on a very heavy pitch but a crowd approaching 300 filled West Clewes for this Boxing Day cracker.

The first action of the game came after only a couple of minutes when a prolonged goal mouth scramble on the Welton line saw the ball eventually cleared away. A long range effort from Welton’s Kyran Ibao was safely gathered by Shepton keeper Owen Crawford.

The visitors took the lead after eight minutes when Shepton captain Jacob Sloggett fired in from the edge of the area, giving Welton keeper Mackenzie Welsh no chance. This was followed by a cracking shot from Charlie Bateson that rocked the Welton crossbar.

The visitors got their second just after the half hour mark when Welton gave the ball away to Josiah McKayle and he curled his shot into the Welton net.

Welton did respond and Kamal Yasin did get the ball into the visitors net but his effort was ruled out for offside. Just before halftime Shepton got a third when Mckayle’s shot went in off the post to give the visitors a comfortable halftime lead.

The second half saw both sides tire as the conditions took their toll but it didn’t stop Shepton getting a fourth when substitute Will Banks rose above the Welton defence to head home a cross from the left and with virtually the last play of the game Shepton were awarded a penalty after a clash in the area that saw a Shepton player go down in the box. Up stepped McKayle who made no mistake with his spot kick to secure his hat trick and Shipton’s fifth goal of the game.

Bob Allard