On a sprightly January’s morning today Welton set about playing the first of a hatrick of matches against Travellers Rest. Making a welcomed come-back to first team action was Mark Curtis partnering James Drabble up front and the popular Jaz Dhindsa lining up on the left hand side.
It were to be two who caused immediate damage to Travellers when Dhindsa had an effort deflected and Mark Curtis pounced on the loose ball to fire home just minutes into the match. It was the perfect start for Welton and extinguished all pre-match nerves almost instantly.
The scorer then turned provider with an exquisite through-ball to feed Scott Coupland who made no mistake in slotting home and doubling the home side’s advantage.
The visitors did not lie down however, and sprung a shock when a fierce 25-yard drive by the Traveller’s midfielder caught Welton ‘keeper Matt Wilkinson off guard and brought the visiting team right back into the game. Welton began to look shaky and passes began to stray, giving Travellers more confidence to attack the game.
At times like this an experienced head is needed to calm the nerves and right on cue experienced centre-back Ross Taylor showed why he has graced the turf of the social club for the last 10 years with a moment of pure quality. James Drabble was fouled on the edge of the box and Taylor stepped up to dispatch a left-footed free kick over the wall and into the net to put the game to bed at 3-1.
Just before half-time Welton added another, with Scott Coupland getting his second of the game. A sublime through-ball by skipper Neil Stocks was collected by Jaz Dhindsa who made his way into the penalty area. The versatile accountant was clattered by the onrushing goalkeeper and denied of a deserved goal. The visiting goalkeeper was booked for his troubles and Coupland confidently stroked the penalty home to send Welton in at half-time 4-1 to the good.
HALF TIME: WELTON S&SCFC 4 – 1 TRAVELLERS REST
Welton began the second half with a distinctly relaxed attitude and an air of over-confidence. The confidence in the air did not transfer onto the pitch and the home side were sloppy for the opening stages. It was not long, however, until the quality of Welton shone through and chance after chance came and went without any hitting the back of the net.
But the fifth goal always looked like coming and it did courtesy of well-known estate agent James Drabble. The Lincoln-born front man won a flick-on on the halfway line, spun and headed for the penalty box. His flick-on was collected by the speedy Mark Curtis, who carried the ball into the box and set-up Drabble to add to his already-impressive goal count this season.
The scoring was complete when Drabble finished off a fine morning’s work with his second of the game. The inspiring Scott Coupland rounded the keeper and laid the ball on a plate for the front man to fire home to make the final score Welton 6-1 Travellers Rest.
The result has set the standard for the next few weeks, where Welton will travel to the West Common to face Travellers Rest in the Ron Eaglen cup followed by a return visit to the dreaded Cowpaddle in the league. Winger Mark Curtis will be unavailable for both trips with his (highly disputed) upcoming suspension, but the holiday-bound powerhouse Luke Clifford and mortgage advisor Simon Ward should be available for Big Al’s selection.
FINAL SCORE: WELTON S&SCFC 6-1 TRAVELLERS REST
PLAYER RATINGS:
M. Wilkinson (6) 7 – At fault for the goal but solid throughout.
W. Carter (6) 7 – Looked shaky to start but grew in confidence as his head cleared.
S. Clifford (7) 7 – Solid as ever, won some great challenges.
R. Taylor (8) 7 – Great freekick and great in the air. Having a quality season.
T. Bowey (7) 6 – Always lively, injury cut his game short.
S. Gordon (7) 7 – Spread play well and created chances.
N. Stock (C) (7) 7 – Broke up play and faultless passing. Excellent.
S. Coupland (8) 9 – Magic at times, scored twice and was always involved.
J. Dhindsa (7) 8 – Worked the wing well. Found acres of space in 2nd half.
M. Curtis (8) 7 – Caused problems and created chances. Good finish for his goal.
J. Drabble (7) 7 – Fox in the box and workhorse out of it. Bags of talent.
Subs:
Rash 7 – Looked sprightly when came on, did well.
J. Mulhall 7 – Strong performance, didn’t let anything past him.
R. Ottewell 7 – Spread some lovely passes, first team performance from him.
It were to be two who caused immediate damage to Travellers when Dhindsa had an effort deflected and Mark Curtis pounced on the loose ball to fire home just minutes into the match. It was the perfect start for Welton and extinguished all pre-match nerves almost instantly.
The scorer then turned provider with an exquisite through-ball to feed Scott Coupland who made no mistake in slotting home and doubling the home side’s advantage.
The visitors did not lie down however, and sprung a shock when a fierce 25-yard drive by the Traveller’s midfielder caught Welton ‘keeper Matt Wilkinson off guard and brought the visiting team right back into the game. Welton began to look shaky and passes began to stray, giving Travellers more confidence to attack the game.
At times like this an experienced head is needed to calm the nerves and right on cue experienced centre-back Ross Taylor showed why he has graced the turf of the social club for the last 10 years with a moment of pure quality. James Drabble was fouled on the edge of the box and Taylor stepped up to dispatch a left-footed free kick over the wall and into the net to put the game to bed at 3-1.
Just before half-time Welton added another, with Scott Coupland getting his second of the game. A sublime through-ball by skipper Neil Stocks was collected by Jaz Dhindsa who made his way into the penalty area. The versatile accountant was clattered by the onrushing goalkeeper and denied of a deserved goal. The visiting goalkeeper was booked for his troubles and Coupland confidently stroked the penalty home to send Welton in at half-time 4-1 to the good.
HALF TIME: WELTON S&SCFC 4 – 1 TRAVELLERS REST
Welton began the second half with a distinctly relaxed attitude and an air of over-confidence. The confidence in the air did not transfer onto the pitch and the home side were sloppy for the opening stages. It was not long, however, until the quality of Welton shone through and chance after chance came and went without any hitting the back of the net.
But the fifth goal always looked like coming and it did courtesy of well-known estate agent James Drabble. The Lincoln-born front man won a flick-on on the halfway line, spun and headed for the penalty box. His flick-on was collected by the speedy Mark Curtis, who carried the ball into the box and set-up Drabble to add to his already-impressive goal count this season.
The scoring was complete when Drabble finished off a fine morning’s work with his second of the game. The inspiring Scott Coupland rounded the keeper and laid the ball on a plate for the front man to fire home to make the final score Welton 6-1 Travellers Rest.
The result has set the standard for the next few weeks, where Welton will travel to the West Common to face Travellers Rest in the Ron Eaglen cup followed by a return visit to the dreaded Cowpaddle in the league. Winger Mark Curtis will be unavailable for both trips with his (highly disputed) upcoming suspension, but the holiday-bound powerhouse Luke Clifford and mortgage advisor Simon Ward should be available for Big Al’s selection.
FINAL SCORE: WELTON S&SCFC 6-1 TRAVELLERS REST
PLAYER RATINGS:
M. Wilkinson (6) 7 – At fault for the goal but solid throughout.
W. Carter (6) 7 – Looked shaky to start but grew in confidence as his head cleared.
S. Clifford (7) 7 – Solid as ever, won some great challenges.
R. Taylor (8) 7 – Great freekick and great in the air. Having a quality season.
T. Bowey (7) 6 – Always lively, injury cut his game short.
S. Gordon (7) 7 – Spread play well and created chances.
N. Stock (C) (7) 7 – Broke up play and faultless passing. Excellent.
S. Coupland (8) 9 – Magic at times, scored twice and was always involved.
J. Dhindsa (7) 8 – Worked the wing well. Found acres of space in 2nd half.
M. Curtis (8) 7 – Caused problems and created chances. Good finish for his goal.
J. Drabble (7) 7 – Fox in the box and workhorse out of it. Bags of talent.
Subs:
Rash 7 – Looked sprightly when came on, did well.
J. Mulhall 7 – Strong performance, didn’t let anything past him.
R. Ottewell 7 – Spread some lovely passes, first team performance from him.