Welton Rovers 4 Cheddar 0

At last, this was just the New Year tonic the Green Army wanted; a superb, all-round team performance from Welton that saw them dominate the game and send the visitors back over the Mendips with their tail between their legs.

There was early drama at West Clewes when, in the first minute, a long ball out of defence saw Tom Lakeman go up for the ball with Cheddar keeper, Tom Creed. The ball ran loose and as both players fell to the ground, Creed appeared to hold back Lakeman on the ground. A massive shout went up for a penalty, but referee, Woolley, waved play on.

Welton pressed, and a Harry Barter effort was cleared for a corner. Chris Pile’s delivery was met by Alex Wych, on the edge of the area, and his first time shot was booted clear. At the other end, Welton keeper, Will Justin, did well to save low down to deny Aaron Hodder. Lakeman then went close with a header and a deflected clearance from Welton was met by Chris Coombs, who scooped his chance over the bar.

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute with a quality Welton goal. Good play down the right by Barter and Wych saw the ball fall to Liam Evans, on the edge of the area, and his well-placed shot flew into the roof of the net to open the scoring for Welton. Just before half-time, Welton had a scare when Callum Laird was found in space in front of goal, but he only managed to head over with the goal at his mercy.

The second half began with further good play by Lakeman, which saw his final shot saved low down by Creed. This was followed up by a cracking 35-yard blast from Lewis Hembury that rocked the Welton crossbar.

Welton responded and good play by Lakeman and Dylan Hatt set up Evans, but he skewed his shot wide of the target.

Welton got the all-important second goal on 58 minutes, when Lakeman robbed a defender of the ball, rounded the advancing Creed and scored from an acute angle. Justin then produced an outstanding save to deny striker, Adam Jones, and from the subsequent corner, Jones thumped his shot against the Welton bar.

The game was sealed in the 75th minute when Barter, on a charge, was brought down in the area and referee, Woolley, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Barter took the spot kick himself, and made no mistake to make it three for Welton. The visitors weren’t giving up and were determined to pull a goal back and Welton had Justin to thank for a superb, one-handed save, low down to thwart Hembury.

Just before the final whistle, Welton added icing to the cake when Craig Parson found space in the area, and he had time to curl his shot into the top corner of the Cheddar net to send the Green Army home contented with a job well done.

The Reserves continued their impressive form with a 4–1 Away win at Frome Town Sports, which now takes them four points clear at the top of the table.

This Saturday, 18th January Welton are at home again with Wincanton being the visitors to West Clewes, kick-off at 3 p.m.

Bob Allard