Kelly Read Cup holders Welton S&SC progressed into the quarter finals for the fifth Season in a row with a fairly forgettable 6-1 win at North Scarle with goals coming from Craig Cosgrove, Luke Clifford, Leigh Warman, Sam Allmond and 2 for Scott Coupland.
Welton’s squad rotation policy continued and this week it was the turn of star duo Scott Coupland and Matt O Halloran to start on the bench allowing Jason Tinkler and Luke Clifford to return to the starting line up. Injuries to Billy Munro and Steve Mason meant that Ross Taylor returned to the match day squad.
There were farsical scenes at the start of the game as Welton trecked through gail force winds to get to a pitch that resembled a mountain range down one side due to the amount of mole hills that were on it and they were faced with opposition that were not wearing the red and black stripes that they were expected to be wearing they were of course kitted out in light blue and white.
So with referee Daz Wallhead keen to get the game underway both sides were left to take pot luck on who they were passing to, the Socialites attacked into the wind as Ross Taylor sped back to Welton to fetch a change of shirts.
The elements really were playing havoc in the opening stages and the unfortunate kit clash really did make the opening twenty minutes a complete non event in terms of decent football.
Ross Taylors arrival with the much maligned green shirts gave Welton a chance to re group and have some tough words for each other as it was clear that almost without exception the whole team had turned up expecting to win comfortably.
The change in colour signalled a change in attitude from Welton and with the kit clash gone Welton began to carve out a couple of chances and soon got the break through.
Jamie Chesman controlled the ball beautifully after Phil McGanns long punt forward held up in the wind, Chesman played the ball down the line for Furness who in turn played the ball to Luke Clifford. Clifford did well and charged his way to the touch line before chipping the ball back across goal over the goal keeper to Craig Cosgrove to tap into the empty net and complete a lovely passing move.
North Scarle continued to put themselves about though and with the wind behind them they were able to put the Welton rear guard under a bit of pressure late on in the half but Welton stood firm and the sides went in at half time with the score at 1-0.
HALF TIME: North Scarle 0-1 Welton S&SC
Despite Weltons slender advantage Big Al made all three planned substitutions bringing on Scott Coupland, Matt O Halloran and Ross Taylor in place of Will Carter, Jamie chesman and Neil Stocks.
With the wind behind them Welton looked a completely different side and the avalanche of goals that was expected soon came.
Weltons second of the morning came from Matt O Halloran’s left wing corner. The former Boston United star whipped in a perfect cross that deceived the keeper and appeared to be going straight in but Luke Clifford put his big head on it anyway just to make doubly sure.
2 soon became 3 when good play down the left between Clifford and Coupland sent Matt O Halloran running through, O Halloran squared for Sam Allmond at the back post and the midfielder made no mistake side footing home his fifth goal in 3 games.
Weltons fourth was not to clever in terms of slick passing football but Leigh Warmans long ball over the top did the job of 10 little passes and sent Scott Coupland charging through on goal to side foot past the keeper with his left foot.
As is customary at the minute though a moment of madness cost Welton a clean sheet again as a farsical back pass went out for a corner that was duly headed home by the big Scarle centre half.
This goal was never likely to signal the start of one of the all time great comebacks though and normal service was resumed when another left sided corner by O Halloran was powerfully met at the back post by Leigh Warman who thundered a header into the top corner for his first goal of the campaign.
Jason Tinkler provided the ammunition for Weltons sixth and final goal skinning his man down the right hand side and crossing low for Coupland who controlled and finished with aplomb.
Another win without really producing a good performance against lower League opposition but the holders march on into the quarter finals where some good sides await.
FINAL SCORE: North Scarle 1-6 Welton S&SC