NEWS FROM WELTON ROVERS

The recent Coronavirus lockdown has seen the temporary cessation of all non-elite T sport, meaning Welton rovers supporters will enjoy the view from the top of the toolstation Western league division one table, for the duration of the month of November.

The Midsomer Norton team sit top of the table while they enjoy their joint best ever start to a league campaign, so far matching their record in the 1965/66 season when they went the whole campaign unbeaten. Rovers have seen their crowd sizes grow since September’s footballing restart, as locals have looked for affordable, outdoor weekend entertainment, including a number of people who ordinarily would watch the Bristol clubs, or Bath City.

Those that have lent their support to Welton Rovers have been treated to outstanding attacking football, as rovers have won eight and drawn two of their first ten league games and had two impressive fa Vase wins against opponents from Devon, along the way.

The final game before lockdown saw Welton's best performance of the season so far, as they ran riot at Hengrove Athletic on their way to a 5-1 victory. Star man that evening, and on a couple more occasions in the autumn, was wide-forward Dawid Regula. Regula struck a hat-trick on a chilly night at Hengrove, his second three goal haul of the season, amongst his nine goal tally to date. Even in a comfortable victory there was drama, as a floodlight failure with just 12 minutes to go threatened the abandonment of the game. Thankfully after a nervous 25 minute wait the electrical issue was fixed, and the green army was able to ensure the result which sends Welton into this lockdown in very high spirits and four points ahead of their nearest rivals, Corsham town.

"Of course it's frustrating to have a break in play while we're doing so well", said manager Tom Smith, a Midsomer Norton man very proud to be helping his hometown club, "but we recognise the importance of keeping everyone safe as we head into Winter, and we're really pleased to be in such high spirits while we wait for the opportunity to play again. I thought the win at Hengrove was our best display of the season so far, and that shows we're still able to improve week on week, despite already being at a great standard."

Coronavirus has been a very interesting backdrop upon which to run an amateur football club and its associated bar, but it's one that the club has handled expertly, offering sport fans and customers a very safe sense of normality, while winning plaudits from the Western league hierarchy and opposition sides.

Rovers vice-chairperson, Gareth Paisey, took on the role of club Coronavirus officer early in the year, and says he has been delighted with the reaction of patrons: "We worked incredibly hard over the summer to put in measures which guaranteed the wellbeing of our supporters and players, while also ensuring an authentic and enjoyable match-day experience. those who frequent the club have paid us back on that hard work by respecting every element of our Covid as it stands, Welton are unable to train or play matches until the lockdown's scheduled end of Thursday 3rd December.

They'll see 4 matches postponed in the meantime, making for a packed fixture schedule when football returns, but Smith is certain his side are well prepared for this: "We've got an excellent squad that while competing for each other's places, are incredibly supportive of each other. This strength in depth is going to be really important to make sure we continue with the good results, and i know our supporters are right to feel excited to get back to West Clewes to see how our great season continues!"