Weather conditions had an obvious affect on the attendance at today’s showcase but the climate changes had clearly got to Big Al as well as he set his boys up in a controversial formation sure to send tremors far beyond the confines of the park. The much talked about but never before seen 3-5-2 is regarded by many in the Lincoln Sunday League as marginally less desirable than being taken advantage of by John Stanem and his infamous linesman’s flag. However the players adapted well to their dabble with the black arts ending the game comfortable 9-1 winners.
After a slow start in which the visitors kept the ball well the home side gradually began to take the ascendancy. The first goal came midway through the first half and stemmed from a sweeping Sam Gordon through ball that found the head of James Drabble. In an uncharacteristically selfless act the front-man nodded back across the box for an onrushing Scott Coupland to slide the ball home from 12 yards to open his Welton account. Soon after Gordon again gained possession in his new right back slot, driving forward into the opposition half before drilling a cross field pass into the path of Luke Clifford. The wing-man floated a cross to the far post where a waiting Drabble set himself and converted from close range with his right peg.
There must have been a feeling of déjà vu for the Lord Tennyson boys as from their corner the ball once again broke to the impressive Gordon. This time the cultured wing-back took advantage of the defence’s ventures forward to release Simon Ward who finished from 35 yards passed an onrushing ‘keeper who was fortunate to see the ball nestle in the bottom corner having handled outside his box.
Despite three changes during the interval Welton continued the second half in much the same style as they had ended the first going four goals to the good in the early stages. Once again the rampant Gordon was instrumental in the build up sending a ball beyond the defence and this time it was the turn of the younger Drabble brother to provide a sumptuous chipped finished having just come on from the bench.
Much like last week the social looked to be cruising when a slight lapse in concentration allowed the opposition a glimmer of hope. Captain Neil Stocks blotted his copy book in an otherwise flawless display with a sloppy piece of play on the edge of the Welton area and while he atoned for this original error he subsequently compounded the problem by giving the ball away for a second time. The Tennyson striker starved of service all game wasted no time in capitalising on this rare opportunity and struck home marking the first goal conceded by the flamboyant Jones in this pre-season campaign.
However, the joy was short lived for the Lord’s boys as they quickly found themselves back on the wrong end of a four goal deficit. Substitute Joe Drabble supplied Ward with the opportunity for his second and the forward made no mistake in rounding the keeper and restoring the club’s advantage. Drabble also had a hand in the next goal as the ‘two Ronnies’ combined for the sixth; Joe flicking the ball through in Cruyff-esq fashion before the typically prolific James took his personal tally to two with the hat-trick looking like a genuine possibility. And it was not long before Coupland added his name to the ranks of the ‘brace club’ sending Welton into seventh heaven. The midfield whippet linked well with fellow trickster Mark Curtis and their intricate one-two allowed the professional joiner to drill beyond a now demoralised stopper.
Coupland’s central midfield partner in crime Tom Wilkinson then threw his hat into the ring with his second in as many games. The energetic workhorse latched onto Joe Drabble’s slipped pass and provided the finish to a well worked team goal that had started with the defensive unit. The rout was complete moments later with what turned out to be the last meaningful action of the game as James Drabble picked up the match ball that had seemed destined for his trophy cabinet since the early stages. Credit must go to the dynamic Curtis who once again turned provider having not only put the chance on a plate but also pulled out a chair, lit some candles and tucked a napkin into Ronnie’s neatly pressed collar. With the open goal just asking to be filled Drabble coolly slotted his second right footed effort silencing those who had claimed it was even worse than Gordon’s left.
With the spoils clearly safe referee Colin Parkinson brought a premature end to proceedings amid suggestions that the RSPCA were about to arrive having heard the Lord Tennyson side were being taunted like circus bears at the hands of the WS&SC ring masters.
After the match Big Al said he was happy with the way things had panned out and felt that he was vindicated in moving away from the standard 4-4-2. It remains to be seen whether the powers-that-be will sanction this highly irregular strategy come the start of the season proper as it would require serious alterations to long established conventions and has left some fearing it could pave the way for even more extravagant set-ups spreading as far as the Cow Paddle or the Wong. Welton are confident of maintaining their 100% record in the last friendly of the season which sees a visit from the Plough of Division One and may also represent the last opportunity for fans to witness Big Al’s tactical genius.
Team Sheet:
Jones (M. Wilkinson 55)
Carter (Lawrence 45)
Taylor (Dhindsa 55)
S. Clifford
Gordon (L. Clifford 75)
Stocks (Jones 75)
T. Wilkinson
Coupland
L. Clifford (Curtis 45)
Ward (J.T. Drabble 75)
J.T. Drabble (J.W. Drabble 45)
Summary:
Jones 6 – Comfortable but never really required
Carter 7 – Adapted well, justified his recall
Taylor 7 – Reliable defensively but again never troubled
S. Clifford 8 – Mopped up any sign of danger
Gordon 9 – Excelled in new roll. Influential in first half
Stocks 8 – Rejuvenated in holding position
T. Wilkinson 8 – Non-stop work rate, covered every blade
Coupland 8 – Look good in centre, a genuine handful
L. Clifford 7 – Showed versatility, provided well from wide areas
Ward 7 – Natural goal-scorer, good movement
J.T. Drabble 7 – Always a threat… Horror touch!
M. Wilkinson 7 – First clean sheet, distributed well
Lawrence 7 – Banished last week’s demons, solid
Dhindsa 7 – Slotted in well, linked nicely with midfield
J.W. Drabble 8 – Provides something different, tricky
Curtis 8 – Usual high standards, a defender’s nightmare
ATTENDANCE: 18 and 4 Dogs (Black Labrador, Golden Retriever, Mongrel [2])