Rovers defeated by Welwyn.

The Rovers suffered a 3-1 defeat to Welwyn Garden City despite a quick second-half response at The Winton Haulage Stadium.

The Rovers made a fast start and looked to put an effort on target early, with Hilaire producing a superb tackle to stop a Welwyn attack after four minutes.

Shiham saw an effort from the edge of the 18-yard box blocked before Welwyn’s Kieran Gauthier was booked for a poor tackle on Seale. Culkin drove down the wing brilliantly in the 26th minute and delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but the Rovers were unable to capitalise. Shiham was booked three minutes later for a late tackle.

Welwyn missed a golden opportunity after the Rovers failed to clear a corner, while Culkin again impressed moments later, beating his man before laying the ball off to Shiham, whose effort was saved. The visitors continued to threaten before the break, but the two sides went into half-time level at 0-0 after one minute of added time.

The Rovers started the second half quickly, with a superb Welwyn tackle denying Shiham inside the six-yard box almost immediately. Raposo was then brought down 25 yards from goal, earning the Rovers a free-kick, before Paddy produced an incredible stop to deny Welwyn after cutting the angle brilliantly.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. A long ball was brought down by Luca Gordon, who layed off before Welwyn finished past Paddy to give Welwyn the lead.

The Rovers were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after Rawn Seale was brought down, and they made it count. Murphy Culkin delivered a superb set-piece which was met by Josh Rodrigues, who finished to level the contest in the 64th minute!

The response was short-lived, however, as Hayes restored Welwyn’s lead just two minutes later. The visitors were then awarded a penalty in the 68th minute, despite the Rovers appearing to make a great tackle. Welwyn converted from the spot to extend their advantage to 3-1.

Six minutes of added time were played, with Assas hacked down in the fifth minute and a Welwyn player shown a yellow card. The Rovers pushed until the final whistle but could not find another breakthrough, as Welwyn attacked and defended for all three points.

Barton Rovers: Boylan, Hilaire, Culkin, Silvestri, Rodrigues, Buckmaster (Edwards 56'), Shiham (Assas 62'), Bernhardt (Jordan 72'), Raposo, Joyce (C), Seale

Words: Alfie Robinson