Western League
Premier Division
Saltash United 5 Welton Rovers 0
When Saltash were beaten 2-0 at home by Ilfracombe on Thursday April 18, manager Macca Brown assured supporters that the players would not be allowed to end the season with a whimper.
He’s kept his word, with his young team putting together three successive home wins in a week, scoring 12 goals without conceding.
It’s been a remarkable end to a difficult first season in charge of the Ashes for Brown, and the signs are good for the future.
On Saturday, Saltash produced arguably their best home performance of the campaign and might have won by a bigger margin.
Young striker Jack Jefford scored his first goal in senior football by putting the Ashes ahead after seven minutes and Tyler Yendle doubled the lead nine minutes later.
Jefford was forced off with an injury after half an hour but Saltash added to their tally before half-time with outstanding left back Ethan Wright making it 3-0.
Saltash continued to dominate in the second half and Joe Preece scored his sixth goal in three games to get the Ashes’ fourth 15 minutes from time.
Jake Curtis, who had replaced Jefford, completed the scoring in the 83rd minute to round off an excellent afternoon for the home side.
Manager Brown said: “It was a really dominant display. Immediately after the game Ben (Welton’s manager) said it should have been double figures, and I don’t think we’ve had a game where we’ve created so many chances.
“Their goalkeeper was magnificent. The dual between him and Preecey was fantastic throughout the 90 minutes and I’m pleased Joe got his goal in the end, but what a performance to just keep his tally at one when on another day Joe would have scored four or five.
“I have to praise the attitude of the lads. I said before them the quality will be what it will be on the day, as would the result, but the focus and the attitude must be immaculate, and it really was.
“It’s too easy to cruise into the off season in third gear but we demand the best on that front and we are getting it, so full credit to the lads.”
Brown went on: “It was lovely to see a couple of our young lads get some goals as well. Jack Jefford has been in and around the squad all season really, but in the last couple of weeks he’s deservedly come into the team and done brilliantly.
“Yesterday he got his first goal before being forced off with a knock and we are all delighted for him, he may go down as one of the youngest Ashes goalscorers ever for the first team!
“Ethan Wright has grown over the course of the season, yesterday was his 40th game I believe, which is incredible for his first season in men’s football, especially as 95% of those games have been starts as well.
“Tyler Yendle isn’t a youngster but he’s come to the club in the last month or so and has added to much grit and personality to the team. He was awarded man of the match and it’s hard to disagree with that decision.
“So we move up to 12th, which is as high as where we’ve been all season. Since Boxing Day we’ve lost just five games, picked up 27 points and there’s been six clean sheets in there as well so progress is being made but that cannot stop now.
“Yesterday had a final game of the season feel to it, it was comfortable and the club did a brilliant job recognising everyone’s efforts, but I’m delighted we’ve actually got one more game, a midweek trip down to Blazey, which will be far from comfortable and will provide us with one final challenge.
“Their management were there on Saturday so it shows they’ve not downed tools for the summer and neither can we. The message will be the same and I’m sure we’ll be ready.”
The Ashes complete their season at St Blazey on Wednesday evening.
Saltash: J Duffey, B Goulty, E Wright, E Goodman (L Murray 71), T Yendle, T Badcott (N Salop 77), T Love-Holmes, J Kelsey (T Huyton 63), J Jefford (J Curtis 29), A Goulty (F Tolcher 83), J Preece.
Goals: J Jefford (7), T Yendle (16), E Wright (42), J Preece (75), J Curtis (83).
Attendance: 117.
Man of the Match: Tyler Yendle.
Picture: Daz Hands Photography.
KJM SPORTS 