WELTON ROVERS 3 WARMINSTER TOWN 0

Welton remain unbeaten and top of the Toolstation Division One table after an excellent team performance against a very good Warminster side that kept going right to the end.

The torrential rain and blustery conditions at West Clewes didn’t put off a crowd of nearly 150 who braved the elements to witness a cracking game that was a credit to both sides.

Welton pressed early on and Courtney Charles won a corner on the left. Scott Hatcher’s delivery was taken by the wind and landed on the roof of the visitors’ net. A fluid Welton attack led by Leon Clayton-Clark saw his end product crash over the Warminster bar. The visitors responded and a sweeping move down the right by full-back, Joel Sisson saw him race towards goal and his power driver of a shot was palmed away by Welton keeper, Matt Dunk.

Evan Mortimer-Taylor’s kick was met by Alex Churchyard who headed over the advancing Dunk only to see the ball crash onto the top of the Welton bar and it was eventually cleared by the Welton defence.

Another corner from Hatcher was this time met by David Regula, but his header flew just wide of the post.

With ten minutes remaining in the half, Welton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after Charles was held back. Up stepped Welton’s free-kick talisman, Kyle Box, he struck the ball low, to the side of the wall past keeper, Callum Hotine, and into the net to give Welton the lead.

The second half took a while to get going as both sides cancelled each other and a series of stoppages and petty fouls didn’t help.

However, normal service was resumed when the visitors’ Mortimer-Taylor went close with an effort and the lively Regula was causing problems down the left flank for Welton.

A free-kick for Welton out deep saw Hatcher’s delivery met by Clayton-Clark and his excellent back header flew a couple of inches over the Warminster bar.

The match turned in the 75th minute when Welton scored the vital second goal. A piece of magic from Chris Pile did the damage. He won possession in midfield and then tore through the Warminster defence at pace, beating off challenges before launching a stunning shot from 18 yards out that beat Hotine low down and flew into the far corner of the visitors’ net.

This deflated the visitors and with five minutes remaining, Welton got a third when Charles pounced on a mix-up between Hotine and a defender and calmly followed the loose ball towards the goal before thumping it into the Warminster net to secure all three points for Welton.

This Saturday, 31st October, Welton are in the FA Vase First Round action away to Premier Division Bridgwater Town, kick-off 3 p.m.

Bob Allard