WELTON Rovers are out of the Jewson Western League’s Les Phillips Cup after losing a penalty shootout at home to Wells City following a 1-1 draw.

Welton welcomed their visitors from over the Mendips for this league cup tie and it got underway on a drizzly cold evening at West Clewes.

It was Wells who pressed early on and a long range shot from Tom Smith went wide of the target. This was followed by a succession of corners that put the Welton defence under pressure.

Welton eventually reacted and a break out led by Kyle Tooze saw him tear through the visitors defence and thread the ball to Omari Sims whose first time effort went inches wide of the Wells goal. Then excellent play for Wells from the impressive Tom Ouigne saw him run into the area, one on one with Welton keeper Freddy Harvey-Larmar who stood his ground and cleared with his legs.

At the other end a corner from Tooze was met by Harry Pegler and his shot on the turn flashed over the visitors crossbar. Just before halftime Wells should have taken the lead when fell to Smith, and with an open goal in front of him he skewed his shot wide.

The second half began with both sides going all out for the all important opening goal and it was the visitors who scored it on 50 minutes. Good play again by Ouigne on the edge of the Welton penalty area saw him turn his marker inside out and then drill in a low shot that flew into the far corner of the net.

Welton responded to this setback and a good effort from Kieran Smith went narrowly wide. Welton continued to press for the equaliser and Tyler Linton picked up a loose ball and his goal bound shot was saved at full stretch by Wells keeper Harley Wilkinson.

However, Welton were not to be denied and with five minutes to go Smith met a ball from the right, controlled it and then volley the ball past Wilkinson into the visitors net to level the score.

As the scores were level at the end of 90 minutes the game went straight to penalties and it was Wells who won the shoot out 4-2 to progress to the next round of the cup.

Bob Allard