Welton Sports continued their impressive start to the season clocking up a 3-0 home win against Victory, with 11 wins from 11 games Welton go into the festive period top of the table by 8 points with two games in hand.
Early preparations were back to normal this week with assistant manager Wilkinson at the ground especially early to make amends for last week. The squad was rotated again with Tom bowey away on a business trip to New York, although breaking news on Sunday pm from his agent seemed to suggest this was an elaborate cover in order to propose to long term wag Nina Sharpe. This rumour is yet to be confirmed as the player has not been in touch with the press office.
Jack frost looked like he was going to prevent another game from being played, but with Welton keen to continue their form and a sensible referee the game was given the go ahead, despite the Welton surface being frozen in parts.
With Andrew Wilkinson still trying to shake off a knee injury Welton set up 4-4-1-1 with Mayhem in goal, Phil, Danny, Dave and Connor making up the back four. Joel, lee, Ross and Alex in midfield with Jason in behind Ronnie up top. This left meggy, moley and the return of fans favourite Alex Jackson from injury and University.
The early stages were cagey as both teams tried to get used to the unpredictable surface, the usual flowing football was clearly going to be tricky today. Victory were obviously keen to make amends for the 5-1 drubbing they received on their own patch early in the season. Very few chances were created until a surging run from Joel was cut short when he was upended in the penalty box by the Victory defender. Up stepped Welton's goal machine Ronnie drabble to dispatch a confident penalty making it 6 goals in 8 games since his return from injury. This seemed to lift the spirits of the home crowd as they huddled to keep warm in the frankly Baltic conditions. Shortly before half time Phil pulled up with a hamstring injury (ironic as it is the only part of his body without a support!!) and was replaced by stalwart Meggy at right back. The half time whistle sounded with Welton sensing there was still more to come.
Victory continued to press, but never really looked like hurting Welton's solid defence. Around the hour mark, Ross Henderson launched a delap style throw into the Victory penalty box and with a cheeky back heeled volley Ronnie set up his strike partner Jason to head powerfully home for Welton's second. There are signs of a prolific partnership being formed and the rest of the league must be quaking in their boots.
Ten minutes later as Victory began to get frustrated a cynical foul just outside the right hand side of the penalty box gave Welton the opportunity to make it three and put the game out of sight. Connor whipped a lovely free kick towards the back post and Ronnie gladly headed home to take his tally to 7 in 8 games.
With Welton looking comfortable the management team decided to give Alex Jackson a run out in place of Ronnie who was still suffering the effects of a horrendous challenge by the Victory medical bag and training balls!!! it was nice to see the talented youngster back in a Welton shirt after recovering from injury.
One last sub saw the introduction James Mulhall (aka moley) to get his first minutes under his belt also after recovering from a dislocated knee cap. It was him that nearly added to the score line after the ball ran loose from a corner, he tried an audacious back heel which sadly ran inches past the post. On the positive side his knee felt good and hopes to be now challenging for a starting place again for the remainder of the season.
The final minutes were not without incident though as a clumsy challenge from Connor led to a penalty for Victory. The centre forward stepped up and smashed the ball to the keeper's left, but much to the joy of the Welton faithful mayhem got a strong hand to it and pushed it out for a corner. This confirmed Welton's no.1 had no plans to give up his 8th clean sheet of the season. The referee's whistle sounded to conclude a very fine 2011 for the Welton Sports as they sit top of the pile and still remain in both the Kelly Reed and Ron Eaglen Cups.
Moley's Magicians
Joel ***
Ronnie **
Mayhem *
Club Sec