They say revenge is a dish best served cold and Welton dished out a freezing plate full to Nettleham in a gripping Semi Final. Welton ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Mulsanne Park to book their place in their third Sincil Bank showpiece of the season on the 10th of April against Anglers Saxilby. A Scott Coupland hat trick and another Luke Clifford Rocket saw the Socialites safely home.
Weltons confidence was in tatters going into the game after they struggled past Tower in mid week 2-0 with goals from Mulhall and Luke Clifford. Even worse for the Socialites was the news that their 1st choice goalkeeper Rick Ossai was called away on international duty for Lincoln University but cometh the hour cometh…James Drabble? Drabble manfully donned the traffic cone and a crusty pair of goaly gloves and to be fair everyone in attendance was pleasantly surprised by his performance in the net. Will Carter, Ross Taylor, Joe Snookes and Jamie Chesman were the men charged with huge task of protecting Drabbles net. Across the middle were Clifford’s Luke and Simon, Captain Stocks and Sam Gordon. Up front were the fit again Scott Coupland and the recalled Pete Sutton. On the bench were Tom Bowey, Matt Gordon and an inebriated Craig Wilkinson.
Welton started the game brightly and moved the ball around the slick Mulsanne Park pitch nicely. Nettleham were offering very little going forward as Weltons defence dealt with the Nettles direct style with ease and anything that did manage to make it past the defence was swept up well by the alert Drabble in goal. Welton made the breakthrough that they had been threatening early.
Simon Clifford played the ball out to right back Will Carter who looked up and played an inch perfect pass into the on rushing Scott Coupland who finished with aplomb past the hapless Nettleham keeper. At this stage it really was one way traffic but the goal seemed to spark the Cup holders into life and they began to show why they had not been defeated in this competition for two years.
Nettleham front man Stewart ‘Boydy’ Aisthorpe suddenly came to life and the powerful front man began to make life very uncomfortable for the Welton defence. Mid way through the first half Welton were thankful to Simon Clifford who cleared a J Drabble junior header off the line.
Welton were really struggling to get any sort of possession and the second goal of the game looked certain to go to Nettleham until Luke Clifford miraculously sprung into life. A right wing cross was sent over by Sam Gordon. The ball made it all the way across to Luke Clifford who lashed the ball back across goal into the stanchion to give the Socialites a two goal cushion against the run of play.
Half time Nettleham 0-2 Welton S&SC
Welton returned for the second half knowing that the game was far from over and that Nettleham were not going to give up their trophy without a fight and when the match officials eventually returned this pulsating match was again back on. A tactical switch by Nettleham manager Shaun Pearse almost payed dividends straight away.
The Nettles tinker man switched livewire left back Colin Wilson to left wing and the pacey youngster got in behind Carter and sent a beautiful ball across the area to Aisthorpe who controlled well but saw his left footed effort brilliantly blocked by Ross Taylor to keep the score at 2-0.
Nettleham pressed and pressed without ever really looking like troubling Drabble in the Welton goal.
Mid way through the second half Welton replaced Sutton with Matt Gordon who made an instant impact.
A free kick on the half way line was played into the feet of Luke Clifford. Clifford, Gordon and Coupland passed the ball neatly between the three of them and this eventually lead to Matt Gordon threading the ball through to Coupland who finished neatly to effectively end the game as a contest.
Welton then made their remaining changes bringing on Bowey and Craig Wilkinson to replace Stocks and Sam Gordon and again it was one of Big Als changes that brought about the fourth and final goal of the morning.
Luke Clifford fired a ball across the field which seemed to have been dealt with by the Nettles left back. But there is never a lost cause when Tom Bowey is on the pitch. Weltons tricky winger forced a mistake from the full back and played the ball into the path of the ever willing Simon Clifford who skipped past a defender and unselfishly squared the ball to Scott Coupland who bobbled the ball home to complete his hat trick and complete Weltons unprecedented hat trick of Cup final appearances and keeping Big Als Kelly Read Cup dreams alive and well.
Final Score Nettleham 0-4 Welton S&SC
Match Ratings
Drabble (9) bravery personified for stepping up to the plate. Not half bad either.
Carter (9) superb ball to set up the first goal.
Chesman (9) won everything in the air.
Snookes (9) never looked troubled.
Taylor (9) crucial block at 2-0
Clifford L (9) fairly quiet but scored, sign of a great player.
S Clifford (9) completed his mission.
Stocks (9) dominated the centre of the park.
Gordon (9) great outlet for his side
Coupland (9) wonderful hat trick
Sutton (9) reliable as ever
Subs
Bowey (9) pivotal role in the fourth goal.
M Gordon (9) hold up play was absolutely brilliant
C Wilkinson (9) got stuck in.
Carters crackers
Coupland ***
Drabble**
S Clifford*
Can we have you?
J Drabble junior. Has been a long term target of Weltons. Won a lot in the air and was a threat when he was thrown up top. Aisthorpe is always a handful but most of all the sausage and chips in the Black Horse afterwards were majestic.
Youre not very good!
Colin Wilson. Ran the show last season but was nullified by Carter and Gordon. In truth Nettlehams keeper made Drabble look like Peter Schmeichel.