WHAT can only be described as a very difficult start to the season, Welton Rovers went down 7-0 at home high-flying Portishead Town in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League at West Clewes in midweek.

Despite the result there were many positives for Welton to take from the game and hopefully they can build on this progress.

The game got underway and a good move down the right from Welton saw Tyler Linton drive down the flank and deliver a cross into the mix that was safely gathered under pressure by Portishead keeper Ryan Thacker.

The visitors responded and took the lead after six minutes when a corner from the right was met on the edge of the area where it was met by Toby Lawrence who volleyed home past Joe Beaverstock in the Welton goal.

Welton pressed for an equaliser and good play by fullback Mason Alden saw him deliver a quality cross that Omari Sims just failed to connect with and minutes later Linton saw his header flash over the visitors bar.

Welton continued to press and Tash Linton saw his 20 yard effort fly inches over the Portishead bar.

At the other end Beaverstock did well to deny Ethan Feltham’s effort from close range. The visitors got a second in the 35th minute when the unmarked Callum Eastwood met a deep cross from the right to head home from close range.

The second half began with Welton pressing and a shot from Linton thumped into the side netting.

In the 50th minute the visitors got a third when Ben Beaumont headed home. Still Welton didn’t give up and a shot from the lively Jonathan Linton flashed inches wide of the visitors goal and at the other end Beaverstock produced a top drawer diving save to deny Kyle Egan.

However the keeper could not do anything to deny substitute Callum Townsend scoring the visitors fourth.

The referee then awarded Portishead a penalty after a foul in the area on Feltham. Egan made no mistake with the spot kick to make it five and as the game entered the final few minutes Feltham made it six after dribbling through the Welton defence and Townsend got number seven just before the final whistle.

In other games in the division, Street dropped two points in a 1-1 away draw against Oldland Abbotonians but held on to top spot while Bridgwater United crashed 3-0 at home to Shepton Mallet.

Bob Allard