TOWER ATHLETIC V WELTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
What was billed in the media as being a potentially close encounter, Welton sent a clear message to rival title challengers Stags and Golden Eagle with a devastating attacking display of brilliance on Sunday morning. Welton’s intent was shown early on as both L.Clifford and Wilkinson were sent through on goal but both attempted audacious chips which failed to pay off. The deadlock was broken a few minutes later however, when Mark Curtis smashed in from close range after the goalkeeper had parried Luke Clifford's well struck volley from the edge of the box. Midfield wizard Scott Coupland soon doubled the lead, connecting with a superb through-ball from captain Neil Stocks, cutting back inside and curling a fantastic effort into the far corner. It was made 3-0 before half-time as James 'Ronnie' Drabble fired in from close range after a driven cross by Sam Gordon found it's way through a packed penalty area.
HALF TIME: TOWER 0-3 WELTON SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB
It looked like staying 3-0 for a while as a hobbling Luke Clifford made way for the decorated veteran Mark Daley, with Welton reshuffling the pack pushing Wilkinson further up front. The change seemed to unsettle Welton and Tower got back into the game for a 15 minute spell at the start of the second half. However, they never looked like scoring and the game was over when Scott Coupland added to his tally with a nicely placed shot to make it 4-0. The professional joiner made no mistake in slotting home after Wilkinson’s powerful effort had been parried into his path, much to the delight of Welton substitute Jaz Dhindsa who could barely contain his excitement. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Tower and Welton surged forward with Curtis getting his second and Welton's 5th of the game soon after. The pacey winger latched onto a Mark Daley through-ball and confidently stroked the ball past the Tower goalkeeper. Curtis could, and perhaps should have got his hat-trick a couple of minutes later when he broke onto another clever ball from the lively Daley and fired just wide of the keeper’s left-hand post. It was to be Coupland who took the match ball home, however, when he nodded home a Ross Taylor inswinger to finish off the scoring. Coupland had missed several clear chances before hand and the relief was clear for all to see. Tower then had their only chance of the game with a long ball over the top, which the Tower striker latched onto before forcing a fantastic save from the rather bored-looking Michael Jones in the Welton Goal.
FINAL SCORE: Tower Athletic FC 0 - 6 Welton Sports and Social Club FC
PLAYER RATINGS
M. Jones 6 - Rarely called upon, but produced a fantastic stop.
W. Carter 7 – Calm and assured, never looked in danger.
R. Taylor 8 – Commanding with sound distribution. Good cross for Coupland's hat-trick.
S. Clifford 7 – Excellent again, but went to sleep in second half with some sloppy passes.
N. Stocks ( c ) 7 – Played some key passes, held the fort well.
M. Curtis 8 - Scored twice, a danger with the ball at his feet.
T. Wilkinson 9 – Tremendous work-rate, personifies quality.
S. Coupland 10 - Ran the show, everything went through him. Deserved his hat-trick.
S. Gordon 7 – Pushed out wide, less effective but still a pleasure to watch.
J. Drabble 7 – Did the business with a poacher's finish, was taken off late on.
L. Clifford 8 – Worked hard, always involved. Sadly injury cut his game short.
SUBS
M. Daley 8 - Clever player, passing of pure genius.
?. Rash 7 - Worked hard, deserved a goal from a cracking header.
NEXT GAME: STAGS (A) 28/10/07 - SUDBROOKE DRIVE