Welton moved into the Semi Finals of the Ron Eaglen Cup despite a lack lustre performance against a battling Metheringham side eventually coming away with a 2-1 win after extra time, The Division 1 title contenders took an early lead through top scorer Joe Smith before Scott Coupland levelled the tie on the half hour mark. The score stayed the same until the fifth minute of extra time when a moment of magic from Luke Clifford settled the tie in Welton’s favour.
Phil McGann returned to the Welton goal and Ross Taylor continued at left back for the absent Leigh Warman, Neil Stocks wasn’t risked from the start after tweaking his hamstring mid week so he was replaced by Matt O Halloran with Jason Tinkler once again starting on the right. Craig Cosgrove and a ponytailed Scott Coupland started up front.
Welton’s preparation was poor and it showed in the early stages of the game as Joe Smith latched onto a ball that was misjudged at the back to coolly slot the ball past McGann to give Metheringham a deserved lead.
Welton struggled to find a way back into the game but were unlucky not to level when Jason Tinkler did well down the right before pulling the ball back to O Halloran who dragged his shot wide from the edge of the area.
Ross Taylor was in the wars dislocating his finger as he slid into challenge his opposition winger but the veteran Scot was taped up and soon thrown back into the game.
Despite a lot of huff and puff from the Socialites Metheringham goalkeeper Metheringham was rarely tested and Welton were given a helping hand on the half hour mark when Luke Clifford was bundled to the ground after he gathered a partially cleared corner just inside the Meg penalty area leaving referee Slatterey no choice but to point to the spot.
Up stepped Coupland and his new hairstyle that had divided opinion all morning to bury his Penalty past Metheringham sending him the wrong way to bring Welton level.
HALF TIME: Metheringham 1-1 Welton S&SC
Welton returned looking a little brighter than they did in the first half but they still struggled to create clear cut chances with the best chance falling to Craig Cosgrove who was unlucky to have two ferocious drives blocked within seconds of each other as Metheringham desperately defended a Welton corner.
Welton rang the changes in an attempt to avoid extra time, Olly Furness was brought on at left back to replace Taylor and Billy Munro was brought on to replace Craig Cosgrove.
Despite arguably edging a tight second half Welton nearly found themselves staring down the barrel of a famous Cup upset with 15 minutes to go when a Meg midfielder unleashed a fierce dipping drive from 30 yards out that cannoned off the under side of the cross bar to be cleared by Will carter before Smith could tap home the rebound.
Having seen his side get off the hook Big Al brought on Neil Stocks to shore up the midfield replacing Jason Tinkler.
Both sides seemed content to settle for extra time now and the scores finished level after 90 minutes.
FULL TIME: Metheringham 1-1 Welton S&SC
After some harsh words from senior players and Management alike Welton looked a different side when the emerged for extra time with Luke Clifford immediately setting about his full back before dragging a shot wide of Metheringham’s near post.
The Socialites powerhouse wasn’t to be denied though and when a sweeping move from right to left moved the ball to Clifford’s feet he cut inside his man and curled a stunning right footed effort over Metheringham that flew into the top corner beating him all ends up.
Metheringham’s gamesmanship and time wasting would come back to haunt them now as Welton were in no hurry to get the ball back in play and as Metheringham pushed more men forward Scott Coupland spurned a glorious opportunity to make the game safe when he was sent through one on one with Metheringham.
Neil Stocks was unfortunate not to make the game safe on the stroke of half time when Matt O Halloran drilled in a deep free kick from the right, Stocks got up higher than everyone and directed his header towards the top corner producing a terrific save from Metheringham.
HALF TIME EXTRA TIME: Metheringham 1-2 Welton S&SC
Metehringham through caution to the wind and reverted to a more attacking line up that the Welton defence were able to deal with fairly comfortably whilst looking very dangerous on the counter attack with Matt O Halloran this time guilty of wasting a good opportunity after Metheringham spilled a Luke Clifford pile driver straight to his feet.
A frantic finale ensued with Metheringham bombarding the Welton defence with balls into the area but the Socialites stood firm and limped into the Semi Finals with a very forgettable win however the nature of the victory could prove to be a blessing in disguise and a timely wake up call to the Welton players as they chase silverware on four fronts.
FULL TIME: METHERINGHAM 1-2 WELTON S&SC