Welton showed signs of a pre season rally at Social Park on Sunday morning by defeating neighbours Nettleham 3-1. Jason Tinkler gave Social a 1-0 lead before former Social Park darling Joe Drabble equalised. Relentless pressure in the second half forced Welton back in front before Sam Allmond grabbed a superb third to get Social back to winning ways.
Again it was all change for Welton as Luke Clifford started in goal protected by Carter, Snookes, Warman and Taylor. With Clifford in goal Craig Cosgrove started on the left with, Sam Allmond, Jack Mcgovern and Jason Tinkler completing the midfield quartet. Scott Coupland joined Billy Munro up front.
Welton started far better than they had in previous weeks playing some lovely intricate football but still lacking a cutting edge of old. The opening goal came half an hour in when Welton sprung a perfect counter attack.
Welton had resisted a short period of Nettleham pressure and cleared a left wing corner to Jack McGovern who played the ball forward to Billy Munro, Munro slid a perfect through ball for the impressive Jason Tinkler who took the ball in his stride and drilled home low across the Nettleham keeper to give Welton the lead.
A huge away following at Social Park were pleased though as their young side thought back through former Social Park favourite Joe Drabble. Drabble roared on by father Richard and Yorkshire Socialite Carena Fullerton finished with aplomb after being sent through by Callum Pearse despite there being more than a slight suspicion of off side.
Drabble chipped home delightfully but respectfully refused to celebrate in front of the John stanham stand that once so loyally chanted his name.
HALF TIME WELTON 1-1 NETTLEHAM
Welton continued to pass and probe to try and recapture the lead playing some wonderful football that just lacked a cutting edge at times and it was eventually left to one of the Nettleham centre backs to put through his own net under relentless pressure to give the Socialites a deserved lead.
Welton created a host of other chances with arguably the pick of the bunch again falling to Will Carter who blazed hopelessly over from ten yards out after being picked out by substitute Nigel Wallace, much to the amusement of local game keeper Stewart "Jessy" Aisthorpe.
Welton eventually made the game safe with a superb third goal when Jason Tinkler played the ball back for Jack Mcgovern who lofted a delightful ball to the back post for Wallace who headed perfectly into the stride of Sam Allmond who finished well under pressure from the Nettles goalkeeper.
All in all a much improved and solid looking performance from the Socialites and it still looks like there is more to come from Big Als men with Jerusalem just two weeks away.
FULL TIME: WELTON 3-1 NETTLEHAM