This was the match of the day in the Toolstation Division One with unbeaten leaders Welton making the short trip over the Mendips to second place Cheddar.
As it turned out it was Welton’s day as they produced an impressive and outstanding display of rampant attacking football that left their hosts on the back foot for long periods of the game. The large numbers of the Green Army who made the trip were absolutely delighted with the football Welton produced today.
Before the start of the game there was an impeccably observed two minute silence with respect to the fallen and those who still suffer.
Welton started by taking their game straight to their hosts with impressive build up play and pressurising the Cheddar defence. However Welton had an early scare at the back when the ball fell to Steve Holland on the left who headed back into the mix where the ball fell to Nathaniel Groom who could only head wide with the goal at his mercy. Welton’s response was instant, a mistake in the Cheddar defence saw the ball fall to Ben Wych who, under pressure, threaded the ball through to Will Gould who cracked his shot past Kieran Webster in the Cheddar goal and into the net to give Welton the lead. Straight from the restart Welton took possession and were awarded a free-kick out on the left. Wych’s delivery went over the keeper only to hit the far post to be cleared by the panicking Cheddar defence. Next it was Toby Cole to trouble the hosts, he turned his marker inside and out broke through only to see his shot on target deflected away for a corner. Wych’s delivery was met by Joe Garland who rose above the defence only to see his header fly inches over the bar. However Welton were not to be denied and just before the half hour Welton got their second, a drive down the right by Wych found Cole on a charge into the area and he unleashed a low unstoppable shot that flew into the Cheddar net. Welton didn’t rest on their laurels and continued to press and Gould went close with another effort. On the stroke of halftime, a clearance out of defence from Garland saw the ball eventually find its way to Jake Slocombe on the edge of the area and his first time cracker of a shot rocked the hosts crossbar to deny Welton a third.
The second half began with Welton again taking the game to their hosts, Jayden Savery raced down the right to deliver the perfect cross into the mix and Chris Pile was centimetres from connecting. However number three for Welton came in the 55th minute when a long ball out of defence was met by Slocombe, whose first touch was sublime, controlled it, took it past the keeper to poke it home into the empty net. Minutes later another free-kick from Wych was met by Slocombe who waltzed his way into the penalty area only to shoot low and watch agonisingly as his shot grazed the far post and go out. However Slocombe wasn’t to be denied when he pounced upon another loose ball and turned and finished off in style to score his second and Welton’s fourth. Welton’s manager Tom Smith then rung the changes bringing on Kyle Box and Lewis Coleman. Welton were awarded yet another corner, this time on the left, Piles delivery thumped against the Cheddar near post. This was followed up by a 25-yard cracker from Coleman that had goal written all over it until a Cheddar defenders trailing leg got in the way. Further good play by Coleman saw him set up Box whose effort struck the side netting. Just before the full time whistle, Cheddar scored a consolation goal when substitute Robbi Maggs converted from close range.
Welton remain unbeaten and clear at the top of the league and on the evidence of this performance, it is going to take a very good team to halt them in their tracks.
This Saturday, 20th November Welton are at last back in action at West Clewes when they entertain Wells City, kick-off 3 pm. Bob Allard