Welton produced a scintillating display of attacking football on the opening day of the Sills and Betteridge season as they put ten past an uninspiring Greenbank at Social Park. Two goals apiece from debutants Coupland and Luke Clifford were sandwiched in between goals from Sibierski (2), Ronnie, Bowey, Ward and Wilkinson in an uncompromising showing of clinical finishing.
The victory was the perfect way to greet the arrival of the ‘stantionless’ M.Brewer goals which were erected masterfully prior to kick off. These goals however were not the only items to arrive, so too it seemed had half of Welton as big Al’s mathematical and tactical abilities were being tested to the limits as he aimed to narrow his squad down to 14.
After much deliberating, and with the notable absences of Twiggy (International duty), Gordon (Work), and Lawrence (Holiday) to bear in mind, Al announced his line up to both the delight and discomfort of the Welton XX1.
Attacking the wall end Welton lined up in their newly formulated 3-5-2 formation in a bid to adopt a Kevin Keegan style of football, and attract a growing number of spectators to Social Park. And it was not long before the home side had something to cheer about. With just 7 minutes on the clock, intricate build up play between Ronnie and Bowey saw the latter execute a pin point cross onto the head of CLIFFORD who powered home from close range.
With any early nerves eased Welton quickly set about adding to their tally. On 15 minutes local boy TOM WILKINSON found himself with time to set himself, before thundering home a spectacular 20-yard volley past the despairing Greenbank stopper. A truly memorable goal for Wilkinson who shared the moment with mother Elaine, father Clive and brother Matthew on the touchline.
With Greenbank appearing as likely to score as skipper stocks on a Friday night Welton had a freedom to play without the genuine fear of conceding. With 33 minutes played the home faithful were off their seats again. This time at was talisman WARD who poked home from the area of the pitch he makes his living after the keeper spilled a Bowey piledriver.
Just before the interval Welton put the game beyond any doubt. More hesitancy in the away defence allowed debutant COUPLAND to lift the ball over the keeper from close range after he had parried a Clifford cross.
HALF TIME:
WELTON 4 - 0 GREENBANK
With Al demanding a need to banish any complacency amongst the ranks, this testimony fell on death ears from many of the home spectators who had seen enough and departed early. Their departure was presumably to put their hard-earned cash on the 4/1 price seen in the local bookmakers for Welton to win the Sills & Betteridge league this season.
Five minutes into the second half, and Welton increased their lead. The effervescent BOWEY burst clear ahead of a 22 passing move and delicately chipped the ball passed the advancing keeper. It was a goal the young businessman desperately needed after finding himself on the end of some hostile abuse from some perfectionists in the home terrace.
With five goals scored from Welton you would usually expect the name ‘Ronnie’ to feature in this list. However fear not those who designated him skipper for this gameweek, the salesman was soon to be in on the act. More swift attacking play saw the sprightly Ward lay the ball into the path of RONNIE who emphatically drilled the ball home on the hour mark.
This goal sparked the beginning of Big Al’s ‘rotation system’ as a double substitution saw Drabble Jnr and Johnson introduced for Ward and Bowey respectively. Al’s tactical bravery was soon rewarded as the substitution provided an immediate impact for the hosts. A long ball was flicked on by the head of Ronnie to send DRABBLE racing through. The young protégée skipped past the last man, and coolly rounded the keeper before slotting home with his first touches of the game.
With Welton in seventh heaven the home supporters were revelling in a master class of attacking football. The inevitable number eight was added with 20 minutes still remaining. More impressive work down the left from Ronnie saw his pull back met by COUPLAND who added his second of the game with an accurate side-foot finish from 12 yards.
By this stage of the game Greenbank and their supporters had well and truly lost the will to live, and were praying for the final whistle. However, the referee had been in an uncompromising mood all morning and was not about to make room for sentiments.
With the crowd chanting ‘We want nine’ it was up to DRABBLE to duly oblige. The marksmen rose gleefully from a Coupland corner to head home his second and Welton’s ninth as the away spectators looked away in disgust.
With time running out Welton surged forward once more in a search to make double figures. This time it was Drabble who turned provider with a measured ball to the back post in search of the marauding CLIFFORD. The former Cherry flyer brought the ball down in majestic fashion and slammed the ball home to condemn Greenbank to their worst defeat since 1974.
FULL TIME:
WELTON 10 - 0 GREENBANK
Attendance 33 and 5 dogs (breed unknown)
MATCH RATINGS
M. Jones 6 - Rarely called upon, but unconvincing when was.
W. Carter 7 – Calm and assured, a measure of the man in recent times.
R. Taylor 7 – Commanding with sound distribution.
S. Clifford 8 – Reads the game in a majestic and uncomplicated fashion
N. Stocks ( c ) 6 – Awarded the bib, will look to build on first display.
L. Clifford 9 – Stunning debut, and exciting prospect.
T. Wilkinson 9 – Tremendous work-rate, touch of class with his goal
S. Coupland 9 - Two goals, three assists – looks a shrewd signing at £3 million.
T. Bowey 7 – Took his goal superbly, a lot more to come.
J.T. Drabble 8 – Superb work-rate – finished with aplomb.
S. Ward 8 – Quality link-up play, genuine poachers instinct.
J.W. Drabble 8 – Two goals and an assist, what more can you ask for?
W. Johnson 7 – Threatening on the right, linked well in attack.
M. Perry 6 – Commanding start to his Welton campaign.
Big Al 8 – Gaffer will face sterner test, and a selection headache next weekend.
Next Fixture – 09/09/07
GOLDEN EAGLE (AWAY) – Theatre of Cows.
Joe Drabble - Professional Sports Journalist