Welton S&SC are once again the pride of Lincoln as the Socialites advanced to the County Cup final on Sunday morning with an entertaining 4-2 win over Grimsby based Tap and Spile. Neil Stocks opened the scoring with twenty minutes on the clock, Minutes later Sam almond blasted home his first of the morning before Tap grabbed a lifeline with a scrappy goal to send the sides in at half time with the game finely poised at 2-1 to Welton.
Early second half nerves for Welton were calmed when Sam Allmond spectacularly grabbed his second of the morning on the hour mark, Allmond completed his hat trick before a stunning strike from the Tap left back with 5 minutes to go completed the scoring with Welton S&SC safely through to their second County Cup Final in 4 seasons where the mighty Seven Seas await.
Welton named an unchanged outfield line up with Carl Stubbs stepping in for Phil McGann in the only change to the side that beat Ivy Tavern 3 weeks ago.
The Socialites started on the front foot probing away at the Tap defence with some clever passing, The Tap and Spile right winger provided a constant outlet for them though and they looked dangerous on the break when Welton’s attacks broke down.
Dead ball specialist Matt O Halloran was whipping in his trademark deliveries to the Tap penalty area with his teammates coming agonisingly close to getting on the end of them on a number of occasions and this was inevitably the way the deadlock was going to be broken.
O Halloran whipped in a left wing corner to the near post that was flicked on by Sam Allmond to the back post where it was met by Neil Stock’s head to bundle the ball in from a couple of yards out.
Welton really had the initiative now and they doubled their lead within minutes. Matt O Halloran worked a short corner with Will carter before crossing low into the six yard box, The ball was half cleared by the Tap defence but only as far as Sam Allmond who smashed home the loose ball high past the goalkeeper to put Welton in total control.
The Tap and Spile forwards had struggled to create any chances of note and as the minutes ticked on towards half time it looked like Welton would grab the next goal but Tap struck back against the run of play on 35 minutes when Leigh Warman misjudged a left wing cross which lead to the ball landing kindly at the feet of Tap midfielder Black who swept the ball home nicely with his left foot to cut welton’s lead in half.
That goal knocked welton out of their stride for a bit and when Luke Clifford fell awkwardly on his ankle and had to be replaced by Jason Tinkler the Welton defence were forced to withstand a brief period of pressure which they managed to do relatively easily.
Despite Tap’s increased share of possession Welton still looked the more likely side to score with the pick of the chances leading to Matt O Halloran rattling the right hand post from a twenty yard free kick.
HALF TIME: Welton S&SC 2-1 Tap & Spile
Knowing that Tap & Spile had already knocked FSC Victory out earlier in the competition the Socialites returned desperate to avoid another sloppy start to the second half but Tap were on the front foot and pushing Welton back.
Still they struggled to create any real chances of note from open play but with Big Men coming up from the back for set pieces they still carried a threat that was dealt with well by the Welton defence and the impressive Carl Stubbs in goal.
Welton landed the killer blow just after the hour mark when Sam Allmond continued his red hot run of scoring form with a delightful half volley. The ball bounced nicely for Allmond 25 yards out and the flame haired right winger sent the ball dipping beautifully over the head of the Tap goalkeeper to restore a two goal cushion for the Socialites.
This goal was a real hammer blow to the Grimsby men who had thrown everything at Welton without reward and their fate was effectively sealed when Allmond clinically grabbed his hat trick in the 68th minute.
Jason Tinkler danced his way past several defenders down the left hand side before drilling the ball low to the onrushing Allmond who slid in to beat the keeper from six yards out to finish off a memorable semi Final hat trick.
Scott Coupland and Matt O Halloran were withdrawn shortly after to be replaced by Billy Munro and Olly Furness.
The Grimsby men through caution to the wind and piled late pressure on the Social defence and with 5 minutes to go a sensational strike from fully 35 yards out by the Tap left back gave Stubbs no chance what so ever and threatened to set up a grand stand finale but Welton professionally stuck to their task and ran down the remaining minutes to book their place in the biggest game on the Lincolnshire footballing calendar against holders Seven seas.
FINAL SCORE: Welton S&SC 4-2 Tap and Spile