Welton Rovers 4, Devizes Town 0

From the archive, first published Friday 28th Oct 2005.

DEVIZES Town manager Nathan Sheridan has warned his players they will need to learn fast to save their season after crashing to a 4-0 defeat away to Welton Rovers on Saturday.

Although he said it is not panic stations yet, Sheridan admitted his side's inexperience needed to be overcome.

He said: "It was exactly the same as they played they last couple of weeks. You expect them to play the way you ask them to and they have given themselves a mountain to climb.

"Then when it comes to the second half they are just playing for pride and they are not under pressure because they are behind.

"Maybe if we got that first goal it would be different but they need to not let their heads drop when they concede."

Devizes started with impressive 16-year-old Matt Penfold in goal, after his recent release from Swindon Town, and he produced some magnificent saves to keep the score down.

In truth, the goalkeeper could do very little about any of the goals with one a penalty and one taking a wicked deflection.

It was the penalty on 20 minutes, won and converted by James Riccio, which changed the game as beforehand the game was pretty even.

Two minutes later Riccio got his second when he broke free of a static Devizes back four and charged at the goal before unleashing a quality strike into the roof of the net.

Lee White then grabbed Welton's third with ten minutes of the half to play as the Devizes defence opened up in front of him before Leon Simpson completed the scoring five minutes later courtesy of a deflection.

The second half began on a totally different note with Welton taking their foot off the peddle and allowed the visitors to probe and test the defence.

Simon Drewitt and Jamie Mullings both had chances before substitute Nathan Moffart went close with an effort from 15 yards.

Although pleased with the second half performance Sheridan again bemoaned the injury jinx which has been haunting his side this season.

"Again we were missing seven of our first team regulars through one thing or another," he said.

"Injuries have just been a nightmare this season. Before the game I only had 14 players to chose from including myself and Jamie Gale on the bench."

Sheridan said his thoughts were now firmly focused on the FA Vase First Round tie at home to local rivals Pewsey Vale on Saturday.

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