Welton Rovers 2 Falmouth Town 3: This was Welton’s final game of the season which has seen Welton return to the Western League Premier Division.
Having clocked up over 2,500 miles in away trips, mainly to Devon and Cornwall, credit must go to Welton manager Tom Smith, the back room staff and all the players this season which saw Welton finish in a respectable 14th position in the league. Also the support of the Green Army and all supporters has been unflinching through all the ups and downs of the season and role on July when it all starts again.
The last game saw the first visit to West Clewes since 1982 by Falmouth Town and the large crowd was bolstered by a large contingent who had made the long trip from Falmouth, together with their loud drum and music machine, which certainly had West Clewes buzzing on a cold Tuesday evening.
It was the visitors who started off in full throttle and Tim Nixon broke through the Welton defence and his shot was hastily cleared for a corner. Welton responded and were awarded a corner themselves, captain Lewis Russells’ delivery was met by Courtney Charles who headed wide. Welton keeper Dominic Oakes was then called into action to save Luke Brabyns shot on target. Archie Morris did well to deny Nixon who was free in front of goal. As the play went from end to end Charles was brought down on the edge of the visitor’s box, Russells free kick flew inches over the bar.
A piece of quality play from Falmouth saw Brabant tear down the right deliver a top drawer cross to Luke Barnes who, with the goal at his mercy, skewed his shot wide of the target.
As halftime approached good play by Owen Punselie saw him race on goal, fire in a stinging shot that was diverted away from the target by the trailing foot of Falmouth keeper Ryan Barnes. The visitors then counter attacked and Barnes was brought down in the Welton area and referee Reed had no hesitation in awarding the visitors a penalty. Upstepped Tom Annear who made no mistake with his well taken spot kick to give Falmouth a halftime lead.
The second half began with both sides going all out for the all important next goal, Oakes produced an outstanding one handed save to deny Barnes. However, in the fiftieth minute Welton struck, an attack down the left saw the ball delivered over to the far right where full back Jaiden Savery was on hand to drill his shot past Barnes into the far corner of the Falmouth net to equalise for the hosts. Minutes later, Lewis Hunt appeared to be brought down in the box and despite the loud shouts from the Welton players and crowd referee, Reed was having none of it and played on. Manager Tom Smith then brought on Toby Cole for Punselie and Coles first touch saw him deliver a great cross into the mix were Charles’s shot on target was cleared.
Welton stalwart Joe Garland was then brought on and his first touch saw him meet a Callum Elmes corner from the right, he rose above the defence and headed down where the ball was met by Russell who thumped the ball into the visitors net to give Welton the lead.
Falmouth went all out for the equaliser and an effort from James Swan thumped the base of the Welton post and seconds later the ball ended up in the Welton net but was ruled out for offside.
In the eighty third minute Nixon, on a charge, was brought down in the Welton box and the visitors were awarded their second penalty of the game.
Upstepped Annear again who made no mistake to score his second of the game and equalise for Falmouth. As the game went into added time the inevitable happened, Cam Hutchinson broke through the Welton defence and slid the ball past Oakes to score the winner for the visitors.
Welton can count themselves very unlucky not to take a share of the points, however this was a cracking game of football to finish off the campaign. Role on next season.
Bob Allard