Welton Set the Standard in Cup Double-Header
Today’s clash with the visitors was the first of a double header, with Welton travelling to South Clifton in their next match in a succession of cup games. Welton manager Big Al seems to have been watching Rafa Benitez a bit too much as he decided to rotate once again, with Curtis playing upfront, Gordon pushed into the middle with Bowey on the right and new goalkeeper Paul Stafford making his Welton debut.
Confidence was high as Welton took to the field following Big Al’s immortal words “speed of thought is faster than fleet of foot” firing the boys up.
It must have worked as Welton took the lead very early on through Mark Curtis. The make-shift striker latched onto a James Drabble flick on and fired Welton in front with a powerful finish into the top of the net.
Clifton equalised quickly afterwards with a long ball over the top causing all sorts of problems in a half-asleep Welton defence. The ball looped over the back 3 and the Clifton striker made no mistake in silencing the home support.
Welton went back in front with Ross Taylor getting his first of the season. Midfield trickster Tom Bowey was felled outside the box and Taylor cleverly converted the free kick, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Once again Clifton came back at Welton and equalised in bizarre fashion. A free kick on the right seemed to go straight across the box and into the bottom corner, however, replays show the striker may have got a touch to divert the ball in.
The next goal was to be pivotal and it came the way of the Premiership leaders. Speedy forward Mark Curtis was finding space up front and soon put the home side back in front for the third time. Bowey worked well down the right and pulled back for Curtis who slotted home from 18 yards after his first shot was deflected back into his path.
HALF TIME: WELTON S&SCFC 3 – 2 SOUTH CLIFTON FC
In a incredibly one-sided second half Welton ran South Clifton ragged, with their pace and passing being too much for the Division One promotion hopefuls.
It was only a matter of time before casual assassin James Drabble got his name on the score sheet and he restored regularity with a strong header from 10yards. A pinpoint cross from the right by Mark Curtis was nodded home by the award-winning sales negotiator.
The game was put to bed as Scott Coupland scored his first goal in 245 minutes of competitive football. The midfield magician picked up on a loose ball after a mazy Tom Bowey run and tranquilly half-volleyed home from close range. After the game, Coupland dedicated his goal to Welton defender and football egghead Jaspaul Dhindsa
That was the point Big Al decided to ring the changes, James Drabble and an injured Bowey making way for Michael Jones and Joe Drabble.
The score line became 6-2 in spectacular fashion as Luke Clifford decided to get in on the action. He picked up a loose ball on his weaker foot and hit a 25-yard thunderbolt past a powerless Clifton goalkeeper in a way that even had Jack jumping for joy on the touchline.
The scoring was over when Coupland latched onto a Joe Drabble flick-on and rounded the keeper to slot home. The 21 year old joiner was clearly delighted with his brace, claiming later that “goals were like buses, you wait 245 minutes for one and then two come along at once”.
Welton’s victory sends them into round two of the Ron Eaglen cup and means they have now scored an amazing 62 goals already this season, with 35 coming in their last 5 matches.
FINAL SCORE: WELTON S&SCFC 7 – 2 SOUTH CLIFTON FC
PLAYER RATINGS:
P. Stafford (6) 6 – Nervous debut but has potential to challenge Jones and Wilkinson.
W. Carter 6 (7) – Got forward well and had a lively game. Energetic performance.
S. Clifford (5) 6 – At fault for the goal(s)? Kept the defence in line and swept well.
R. Taylor (6) 8 – Won everything in the air again, having an impressive season.
T. Bowey (9) 8 – Never afraid to run at the defence, caused havoc all day.
S. Gordon (8) 7 – Could pass to a needle in a haystack. Inspired performance.
N. Stocks 7 (7) – A vital cog in the Welton machine. Commanded the midfield.
S. Coupland 7 (8) – Never gave the ball away and scored twice. Lovely stuff.
Clifford L. (6) 7 – Not as influential as usual but scored an absolute beauty.
M. Curtis (9) 8 – Created a ton of chances, perhaps should have buried more though.
J. Drabble 8 (7) – Won any loose balls and was a general nuisance to the defence.
SUBS:
J. Drabble 7 – Linked up well but seemed to be suffering for some reason.
M. Jones 6 – Keeper-come-midfielder didn’t put a foot wrong.
S. Ward 6 – In the midfield again, worked hard and did well.
Confidence was high as Welton took to the field following Big Al’s immortal words “speed of thought is faster than fleet of foot” firing the boys up.
It must have worked as Welton took the lead very early on through Mark Curtis. The make-shift striker latched onto a James Drabble flick on and fired Welton in front with a powerful finish into the top of the net.
Clifton equalised quickly afterwards with a long ball over the top causing all sorts of problems in a half-asleep Welton defence. The ball looped over the back 3 and the Clifton striker made no mistake in silencing the home support.
Welton went back in front with Ross Taylor getting his first of the season. Midfield trickster Tom Bowey was felled outside the box and Taylor cleverly converted the free kick, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Once again Clifton came back at Welton and equalised in bizarre fashion. A free kick on the right seemed to go straight across the box and into the bottom corner, however, replays show the striker may have got a touch to divert the ball in.
The next goal was to be pivotal and it came the way of the Premiership leaders. Speedy forward Mark Curtis was finding space up front and soon put the home side back in front for the third time. Bowey worked well down the right and pulled back for Curtis who slotted home from 18 yards after his first shot was deflected back into his path.
HALF TIME: WELTON S&SCFC 3 – 2 SOUTH CLIFTON FC
In a incredibly one-sided second half Welton ran South Clifton ragged, with their pace and passing being too much for the Division One promotion hopefuls.
It was only a matter of time before casual assassin James Drabble got his name on the score sheet and he restored regularity with a strong header from 10yards. A pinpoint cross from the right by Mark Curtis was nodded home by the award-winning sales negotiator.
The game was put to bed as Scott Coupland scored his first goal in 245 minutes of competitive football. The midfield magician picked up on a loose ball after a mazy Tom Bowey run and tranquilly half-volleyed home from close range. After the game, Coupland dedicated his goal to Welton defender and football egghead Jaspaul Dhindsa
That was the point Big Al decided to ring the changes, James Drabble and an injured Bowey making way for Michael Jones and Joe Drabble.
The score line became 6-2 in spectacular fashion as Luke Clifford decided to get in on the action. He picked up a loose ball on his weaker foot and hit a 25-yard thunderbolt past a powerless Clifton goalkeeper in a way that even had Jack jumping for joy on the touchline.
The scoring was over when Coupland latched onto a Joe Drabble flick-on and rounded the keeper to slot home. The 21 year old joiner was clearly delighted with his brace, claiming later that “goals were like buses, you wait 245 minutes for one and then two come along at once”.
Welton’s victory sends them into round two of the Ron Eaglen cup and means they have now scored an amazing 62 goals already this season, with 35 coming in their last 5 matches.
FINAL SCORE: WELTON S&SCFC 7 – 2 SOUTH CLIFTON FC
PLAYER RATINGS:
P. Stafford (6) 6 – Nervous debut but has potential to challenge Jones and Wilkinson.
W. Carter 6 (7) – Got forward well and had a lively game. Energetic performance.
S. Clifford (5) 6 – At fault for the goal(s)? Kept the defence in line and swept well.
R. Taylor (6) 8 – Won everything in the air again, having an impressive season.
T. Bowey (9) 8 – Never afraid to run at the defence, caused havoc all day.
S. Gordon (8) 7 – Could pass to a needle in a haystack. Inspired performance.
N. Stocks 7 (7) – A vital cog in the Welton machine. Commanded the midfield.
S. Coupland 7 (8) – Never gave the ball away and scored twice. Lovely stuff.
Clifford L. (6) 7 – Not as influential as usual but scored an absolute beauty.
M. Curtis (9) 8 – Created a ton of chances, perhaps should have buried more though.
J. Drabble 8 (7) – Won any loose balls and was a general nuisance to the defence.
SUBS:
J. Drabble 7 – Linked up well but seemed to be suffering for some reason.
M. Jones 6 – Keeper-come-midfielder didn’t put a foot wrong.
S. Ward 6 – In the midfield again, worked hard and did well.
NEXT FIXTURE: SOUTH CLIFTON FC [KELLY READ CUP] (A). 25/11/07