Welton Rovers 4 Bristol Telephones 0

Welton moved back to second in the table after a comprehensive victory over The Phones in this rearranged fixture following the abandonment of the previous match a few weeks back.

It was a much changed Phones line-up from the previous encounter with no less than eight different players in their starting eleven. Welton started the game on the front foot and a Courtney Charles shot was cleared by The Phones defence.

Welton keeper Alfie Kelsey was then called into action with a smart save to deny Kyle Tooze. Welton’s response was a long range effort from Cameron Allen that was safely gathered by Phones’ keeper, Luke Roberts.

The early exchanges were getting bogged down with petty fouls and stoppages but that all changed in the twentieth minute when Welton took the lead. A quality free kick out on the right from Allen sailed over the Phones defence and landed at the far post where Toby Cole was on hand to drill his shot into the net from close range.

This was the impetus Welton required as they stormed at the visitor’s defence which was having difficulty in dealing with Welton’s pressure. A cracking shot from Allen was saved, the rebound fell to Will Gould and his effort rocked the Phones’ crossbar and Charles’ shot was parried away by the keeper for a corner. Cole was causing turmoil down the left and another great run and shot saw the ball crash into the side netting.

Welton got a deserved second in the 35th minute with a glorious goal from Allen. He raced in from the left, turned his marker inside and out and now, only a couple of yards from the byline, fired in a stunning shot from the acute angle that kept low and flew into the far corner of the net.

The Phones then had keeper Roberts to thank when he pulled off a top drawer save to deny Goulds’ 20 yard screamer flying into the net.

Welton were not to be denied and with half-time approaching, Welton were awarded a corner on the right. Allen’s delivery was perfect as it flew over and then curled and went straight into the far corner of the net. A minute later another quality corner from Allen curled in again and this time, Roberts, under pressure, somehow managed to fist the ball out from under the bar.

After the brilliant first half performance the Green Army wondered whether Welton would rest on their laurels, but Welton weren’t done with The Phones yet. Another corner from Allen flew into the mix and a goal bound shot was cleared off the line.

There was no stopping Allen and just after the fiftieth minute he was unceremoniously brought down in the Phones’ box and referee Broad had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Up stepped Allen, shook himself off and fired in low down to the right corner to score Welton’s fourth goal and his first ever hat trick for the club.

After this early second half goal Welton were totally in control of the game and despite the odd attack by the visitors, Kelsey was seldom troubled and

Welton ran out worthy winners, securing another vital three points in the campaign.

Bob Allard