Today Welton travelled to South Clifton Village with the aim to progress to the quarter finals of the Kelly Read Cup. Having hammered South Clifton 7-2 in the Ron Eaglen Cup just two weeks ago, Welton went into the match slightly overconfident and began the game with a distinctly relaxed attitude. Welton started the game poorly and, despite a couple of half chances, failed to create much up front. They paid for it soon after, with Clifton taking the lead after their striker was allowed to waltz through the defence and slot past keeper Wilkinson. Despite the same personnel, South Clifton were unrecognisable from the team that were so easily undone at the Social Club a few weeks ago and had chances to double their advantage. However, the teams went in at half-time with South Clifton one to the good, and Welton having put in an extremely run of the mill performance.
HALF TIME: SOUTH CLIFTON FC 1 – 0 WELTON S&SC
An outraged Big Al ripped into the boys during the break and even accused the starting eleven of “ruining his Sunday”. Those words must have stung the Welton players as they came out for the second half with a more determined outlook on the game. Mark Curtis was switched from the frontline to right midfield, with Simon Ward moving upfront and Sam Gordon slotting back into centre midfield. The change seemed to add more balance to the team and Welton began to create chances. Luke Clifford burst forward onto a long ball and was felled in the box by the onrushing goalkeeper. James Drabble took the spot kick and his left-footed penalty was palmed away for a corner by the newly redeemed goalkeeper. Welton heads could have dropped then but, with Big Al’s immortal words rattling around in their brains, the away side stuck to their task and soon pulled level through Simon Ward. Scott Coupland burst down the left and laid the ball back for mortgage advisor Ward to slot home, much to the delight of the away support.
Welton were revitalised with the goal and pushed further forward but were struck a blow when Luke Clifford limped out of the fray following a late challenge which wasn’t even deemed a foul by the inept referee. This change meant Tom Wilkinson making his comeback from injury and Curtis switching wings onto the left. This change perhaps won the game for Welton as Curtis beat the offside trap and latched onto a ball from the creative Coupland. Plucking the ball from the air with a simple touch, the speedy winger rounded the onrushing goalkeeper and was left with the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net to put Welton in front.
That was in fact Curtis’ last real contribution to the game, limping out with a groin strain with 10 minutes to go and being replaced by Mulhall. Welton continued to pummel the South Clifton goal, but failed to make the game safe and were very nearly punished at the death. A long range effort was palmed away by M.Wilkinson and he just managed to gather the ball before the Clifton striker could react. Had that gone in extra time and penalties would had beckoned, however, Welton held on and are through to the quarter finals of the Kelly Read Cup. The second half didn't pass without incidents of worry for Welton though, with L.Clifford and M.Curtis limping out with injuries and S.Clifford and S.Gordon nearly coming to blows after a series of heated on-the-pitch arguements. Big Al will be hoping those two can settle thier differences and the injury list does not grow before the busy christmas period.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH CLIFTON FC 1 – 2 WELTON S&SC
PLAYER RATINGS:
M.Wilkinson (7) 7 - Could do nothing about the goal, did well when called upon.
S. Clifford (6) 7 - Sweeped well. Lacked professionalism argueing with Gordon.
R. Taylor (7) 7 - Solid again, keeps the back 3 in check and wins all arial balls.
W. Carter (6) 7 - Excellent distribution. Won tackles and never gave the ball away.
S. Gordon (6) 6 - Played some great passes but doesn't like the easy ball at times.
N. Stocks (7) 7 - Got stuck in and worked hard all game. Solid.
S. Coupland (6) 7 - Tried to get things going and managed to in second half.
S. Ward (7) 7 - Scored and created chances. Did consistantly well throughout.
L. Clifford (6) 6 - Looked static at times but worked hard. Limped off.
J. Drabble (7) 6 - Strong performance. Penalty miss seemed to affect him.
M. Curtis (6) 7 - Looked injured throughout. Scored but failed to make an impact.
SUBS:
J.Drabble (7) - Linked up well and added a threat to the attack.
T. Wilkinson (7) - Assured performance. Added steel and power to the midfield.
J. Mulhall (6) - Lacking match fitness, but solid and never gave the ball away.