WELLAND were defeated 1-0 in the Cheltenham Association League’s Junior Charity Cup final at Bishops Cleeve.

They were left beaten finalists in the competition two seasons on the trot.

The Division Three champions began well and were first to the ball against an enthusiastic Leckhampton Rovers side, who had finished runners-up.

Opportunities were few with Omar Elmougy forcing a smart save from the Rovers keeper and firing wide midway through the first-half.

Rovers were limited to shots from distance but nothing that troubled keeper Niall Hacking.

The second period saw neither side get a grip on the game on a hard, dry pitch.

On the hour, Welland lost striker James Lush with a back injury but they almost went ahead when Mark Taylor headed over Elmougy’s corner.

The game took a twist when midfielder Paul Edwards was controversially penalised for handball on the goal-line and red carded with 10 minutes to go. Rovers had a penalty but Hacking saved well to keep Welland’s hopes alive.

The 10 men continued to push forward but on 90 minutes Rovers broke and the ball was lofted over Hacking into an empty net.

Welland’s Stacey Brimmell was sent off at the final whistle for dissent as they found themselves hard done by.

The villagers followed up their defeat with a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Newlands Athletic in the league.

With a number of players missing, they struggled to make an impact and were punished midway through a difficult first-half.

The visitors failed to clear a corner before the ball was driven back in and the Newlands left-back poked home.

Welland did not create a great deal and their best effort fell to Tim Lewis, who smashed the ball wide moments before the interval.

They came out in the second-half looking more comfortable, stringing passes together with more conviction, but Newlands hit a post and the bar in quick succession.

Good work out wide saw Jamie Harding cross to Brimmell, who headed wide.

They continued to ask questions of an organised Newlands defence and were rewarded on 90 minutes when a defender handled in the box following a Edwards cross.

Elmougy stepped up and coolly slotted home to ensure the points were shared.