Sunday morning saw Welton travel to FSC Victory in the First round proper of the inaugural Ron Eaglen Trophy. Welton have been in fine form so far this season, currently lying second in the Premier Division and still in 3 cup competitions. Victory away is never an easy game and a match Welton manager Alistair Taylor was not taking lightly. Speaking before the game ‘Big Al’ claimed “This will be one of our toughest tests this season. Victory (currently 3rd from bottom) are in a false position, they are a top half side at least and we will need to be at our best to progress any further in this competition.”
Welton had to reshuffle the team once more this season as Al was without, Bowey and Curtis (work), Ward (virus) and L.Clifford (ankle).
Welton lined up for the cup clash with fans favourite Matty ‘Mayhem’ Wilkinson in goal, he was being protected by the usual back 3 of Carter, Taylor and S.Clifford who have forged an impressive record so far this season. Gordon returned to take up a place on the right of midfield, with the versatile Dhindsa on the left. Captain Stocks was in his usual defensive central midfield role, behind Wilkinson and Coupland. Joe Drabble started up front alongside Brother Ronnie, leaving an experienced bench of Daley, Mulhall and Brewer.
The first half was a very tight affair, with chances at a premium for both sides. A muddy Victory Ground on Western Avenue made passing difficult, and the midfield battle was going to play a key role in the outcome of the match. Players from both sides looked fatigued early on; did a certain boxing match in the early hours of Sunday morning have anything to do with this? The best chance of the first half fell to Victory when their midfielder blazed over from 8 yards with the goal at his mercy, an early warning to Welton. The visitors did respond with Ronnie shooting wide from a tight angle and Wilkinson surging forward from midfield and going close. As the end of the first half approached Welton were having more of the play and the Victory goalkeeper was struggling to deal with set pieces fired in at him.
HALF TIME
Victory began the second half brightly and a few unforced errors from Welton helped there cause and it was the hosts who broke the deadlock just 5minutes into the second half. The victory forward JOHNSON, held the ball up well with his back to goal, before turning and sending the ball into the far top corner of the net leaving Wilkinson with no chance. Things did not get any better for Welton 10minutes later when T.Wilkinson had to be replaced due to a reoccurring knee injury. A sad sight for the Welton faithful. Daley came on to give Welton some much needed urgency and experience in their attempts to save their faltering Ron Eaglen cup bid.
Welton responded well and were knocking on the Victory door but were not getting the rub of the green in the final third. Big Al, brought on Mulhall for Dhindsa to add some height to the attack. But as Welton pushed for the equaliser they were leaving gaps at the back and were very luck on 70 mins when Johnson shot wide of the empty Welton goal. Victory would later go on to rue this miss as at the other end Welton hit the woodwork from a header by Stocks. It wasn’t long however before the Welton skipper went one better and pulled his side level. With 5 minutes left on the clock and after some good work from Ronnie, beating 2 men and crossing for Stocks to control and slot home to cause jubilation amongst Welton players and fans alike. FSC Victory could have snatched victory at the death if it wasn’t for a couple of brilliant last ditch tackles from Simon Clifford, (who was a deserved man of the match this morning) and poor finishing from FSC Victory front man Johnson. The game ended up one all, so extra time loomed.
FULL TIME : 1 – 1
EXTRA TIME
Welton started strong in extra time, and were on the attack straight from kick off, a good move between Coupland and Daley saw Daleys shot from 20yards tipped onto the post by the Victory keeper and looped up for what seemed a certain goal for the on rushing Coupland. However just as Coupland was about to tap the ball into an empty net, he was ruthlessly hacked down by the Victory centre half and Victory cleared for a corner. To the disbelief of everyone at the ground, the referee did not give a penalty, even though the Welton playmaker was lying down in the back of the net clutching his stomach. This incensed the Welton side and spurred them on.
PENALTIES
Nothing could separate the two sides after a hard fought battle over 120 minutes so the tie would be decided by a penalty shoot out. It was decided the penalties would be taken at the bottom end of the pitch, and Welton won the toss and decided to take the first penalty. Ronnie stepped up to blast the ball into the roof of the net straight down the middle, Victory responded. 1-1, Next up for Welton was Joe Drabble, and as you would expect he coolly slotted hom leaving the keeper with no chance. Victory responded. 2 – 2. S. Coupland was next up and placed his kick into the bottom corner, beating the keeper even though he guessed the right way, Victorys centre half then stepped up and sent his spot kick wide. 3 – 2 Welton. Gordon took Weltons fourth and it was never in doubt as he sent the Keeper the wrong way, Victory, responded, only just – 4 – 3 Welton. Taylor stepped up knowing his kick, if successful would send the visitors into the 2nd round and keep their “Quad Bid” alive. Taylor calmly slotted home and sparked scenes of jubilation as Welton marched on. There was still time for a chorus of Happy Birthday from the players for Mrs Taylor.
Welton win 5 – 3 on penalties
M.Wilkinson 8 – Great Handling, didn’t put a foot wrong
W.Carter 7 – Battled hard
R. Taylor 7 – Commanding
S.Clifford 9.5 – Best Performance in a Welton shirt
S. Gordon 7 – Dictated play with defense splitting passes
J. Dhindsa 7 – Caused defence problems early on
N.Stocks 8 - Captains performance, combative display capped with goal
S.Coupland 8 – Never stopped running, denied certain penalty
T.Wilkinson 7 – Injury cut short his afternoon
Ronnie Drabble 7 Did well to create goal
Joe Drabble - 7 - Ran his socks off for the cause
Subs
M.Daley (Wilkinson – 60mins) 7 -showed urgency and calmness when needed
J. Mulhall (Dhindsa – 75mins) 7 – Solid down the left
Not Used – Brewer
Attendance – 42 – 32 Visitors