Welton Rovers 2 Barnstaple Town 4: The new season of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division got underway at West Clewes, and Barnstaple Town were the visitors bringing a good number of supporters, including a drummer, with them.

This was always going to be a challenging match for Welton and so it turned out to be.

A very large crowd filled the ground and it was the visitors who started off with the strong wind behind them. The first action saw good work from Lewis Hunt on the left who found Toby Cole on a charge towards goal but his final shot was easily gathered by Barnstaple keeper Liam Kingston. The visitors response was a curling shot from out wide by Myles Perkins that was assisted by the wind and Welton keeper Dom Oakes did well to palm away the effort.

In the eighth minute Barnstaple took the lead, hesitation and a breakdown in communication at the back and defence from Welton allowed Matt Andrew to pick up a loose ball between defenders and calmly slot home into the empty net. Welton responded to this early set back and excellent work on the right from Jordan Savery saw him beat his marker on the goal line and send in a pass that was met by new signing Will Hailston, who bundled the ball the wrong side of the post.

The visitors were taking the game to Welton and a long range effort from Charlie Prentice flew high over the bar. Oakes then saved well to deny the lively William Tucker and minutes later the Welton keeper grabbed the ball on the goal line to stop the visitors taking a two goal lead.

Welton were regrouping and were rewarded on the half hour with the equaliser. Excellent combination play between Hunt and full back Tom Diamond saw Diamond deliver the perfect pass to Cole and he made no mistake as he thumped his effort into the far corner of the visitors net. Just before halftime Barnstaple got a second, again hesitation from Welton allowed striker Harry Foster to pick the pocket of the Welton defence, who had stopped for a non existent offside shout, to fire home from just inside the penalty area.

The second half was only five minutes old when Barnstaple got their third, Foster broke through the Welton defence raced on goal, rounded the keeper who had come out to challenge and fired into the empty net. Cole responded for Welton but his final effort was wide of the target.

The half went from bad to worse for Welton in the sixtieth minute when a long range effort way out on the right was banged in by Callum Laird, Oakes appeared to have it covered but unfortunately for him it flew through his hands and into the net. Despite these setbacks, Welton continued to get on with the game and a firm strike from Jordan Metters was gathered at the second attempt by Kingston.

Welton manager Tom Smith rung the changes bringing on Will Gould, Dan Cottle and Harry Haughton and these changes worked as Welton took the game to their visitors and in the seventieth minute Welton were awarded a penalty after Haughton was brought down in the area. Welton captain Lewis Russell made no mistake with his spot kick to reduce the deficit.

Kingston was on top form with a full stretch diving save to deny Jake Slocombe as Welton pressed.

As the minutes ticked by the visitors were adopting delaying tactics and after one such incident where they hindered Welton getting the ball, a melee ensued involving several players which resulted in Weltons Ben Wych being sent off and Cottle and a Barnstaple player being booked. A couple of minutes later Welton were down to nine men when Gould was sin binned and shortly after the final whistle was blown to end the all action opening game of the season.

Next Saturday, Welton are in FA Cup action at West Clewes when Farnham Town from Hampshire are the visitors. Kick off at 3pm.

Bob Allard