Welton Sports again proved their pedigree as they tamed golden eagle to progress through to the quarter final of the Ron Eaglen Cup by beating the side who currently lie fourth in the sunday premier league 4-1.
Welton again shuffled the pack with Tom Bowey, Andy Wilks and Joel all unavailable. Ever present Matt wilks in goal, protected by a back three of meggy, dave and danny with a midfield 5 of connor, alex, ross, lee and recall for stephen smith who has showed a good attitude in recent weeks. Leaving the deadly duo of jason and ronnie up top. The bench had a wealth of experience again with moley, daly and phil kelsey.
The game got off to a flying start with virtually welton's first attack resulting in a powerful drive from jason which was too hot to handle for the eagle keeper much to the delight of the onrushing connor smith who help himself to his 9th goal in the league and cup this season. Many of the traveling fans missed the first goal due to the long walk from the car park to cow paddle pitch 3.
Welton's tails were up, but eagle responded well and put welton's back three under pressure for a 20 minute spell. The game was then marred as while on a foraging run down the right meggy came victim of the poor surface and caught his ankle in a rabbit hole/warren!!!. At first the lads chuckled, but it then became clear it was more than just a comical fall. Meggy was clearly in alot of pain and after being assessed by our on site paramedic mayhem it was decided an ambulance was required. After being rapped up in silver foil and basted ready for the oven!! meggy was given some laughing gas and taken off to lincoln A&E to get it check out. This signaled the arrival of phil kelsey who slotted in on the right of the back three. The management team feared the stopage could of put the lads of their stride, but as the first half came to a close welton seemed to galvanize and get back on top.
With the managers words ringing in their ears it was expected that eagle would come out fighting, but it was again welton who doubled their lead with a bit of a goal mouth scramble, the ball fell to jason who was on hand to smash home from a few yards out. Welton now sensed they had the eagle's feathers ruffled and it was only a matter of time until alex munn raced onto a ball down the left hand side before cutting in and calmly side footing the ball into the far right hand corner sending the welton faithful balistic and opening up a 3 goal cushion.
Eagle did not give up though and continued to press without really hurting welton's back three, it took a a slice of good fortune when a long cross/shot caught mayhem off guard and sailed into the roof of the net. With around twenty minutes to play eagle sensed they may have a chance to get back into the game. This renewed hope was soon shattered when a measured ball from alex munn sent the ever willing runner ross henderson on a lung busting 50 yard run. He powered past the tired legs of the eagle defence and cooly slotted home welton's forth of the day and surely booked their quarter final place.
With dave kirkbride carrying a slight knock, experienced centre back James Mulhall came on to sure up the last fifteen minutes taking a nasty knock for his troubles leading to heavily swollen ankle and two deep stud marks, despite the eagle defender claiming he never touched him!!
The final whistle sounded and welton will now face Saxilby Athletic or The George Market Rasen in the the quarter final on a date to be confirmed due to The George being involved in the Fred Quibell cup today. Welton's next fixture looks to be the original away league game vs Ruston Eagles. They will certainly be without their stalwart defender meggy as it was later confirmed he had suffered a fractured ankle and ligament damage which may see him miss the remainder of the season. All the players and staff at the club wish him a speedy recovery.
Moley's Magicians
Ross ***
Dave **
Steve *