Welton refused to let go of their grip on the Kelly Read Cup yesterday with a tremendous 4-1 win over bitter local rivals Nettleham United at Social Park. Welton appeared to have their backs to the walls as they were only able to name a bare 11 where as the Nettles on the other hand named a team stronger than team Laurinaitis at Wrestlemania drafting in a number of players to try and de-throne Welton.
Stunning early strikes from Matt O Halloran and Scott Coupland and another goal for Sam Allmond appeared to have Welton cruising in at half time 3 goals to the good until Joe Drabble deftly grabbed the Division 1 promotion contenders a lifeline, Craig Cosgrove brilliantly made the game safe late on in the second half to send the Socialites through to the Semi Finals of Big Al’s beloved cup.
Ravaged by injuries and absentees Welton went with Phil McGann in goal, Will Carter returned at right back to complete a familiar looking back four alongside Warman, Snookes and Chesman. Craig Cosgrove moved to the left wing with Sam Allmond, Neil Stocks and Matt O Halloran completing the midfield quartet. Billy Munro partnered Scott Coupland up front and there was no one for Welton to call on from the bench with Tinkler, Clifford, Furness, McGovern and Taylor all unavailable for various reasons.
Despite their lack of numbers Welton knew that the 11 Men they had available were more than capable of winning the game and they started off confidently both at the back and going forward and their bright start was soon rewarded when Matt O Halloran was upended twenty five yards out from goal. O Halloran dusted down his Kappa shorts and as soon as he placed the ball down their was a sense of inevitability about where the ball would end up, O Halloran whipped the ball over the wall and into the corner of the Beck End net past the despairing dive of the goal keeper to open the scoring in some style.
Welton’s opener drew a response from the Nettles who were unlucky not to level when Jonny Drabble almost converted James Cairns low cross but the Nettleham skippers shot crashed against the post and Welton were able to smuggle the ball away to safety.
Welton squashed the Nettleham fight back with a breath taking second goal on the twenty minute mark with a memorable strike from Scott Coupland.
Billy Munro had come deep to collect the ball before playing the ball over the top for Sam Allmond, Scott Coupland had taken up a position in the box and Allmond chipped the ball back into the area on the half volley towards Coupland who sent a dipping volley over the keeper across the goal from the right hand edge of the penalty area giving the keeper no chance what so ever.
Welton created further chances with Craig Cosgrove forcing a fine save from the Nettles keeper and Leigh Warman powered a header just over the bar from a Matt O Halloran corner.
The third goal did eventually arrive as the rampant Socialites surged forward, Billy Munro tricked his way to the touch line before turning his marker inside out and squaring the ball to Sam Allmond who was one of three Welton players queuing up to convert Munro’s moment of magic, Allmond controlled and slotted the ball home to make it three.
Nettleham responded well and put Welton under pressure for the remaining ten minutes of the half but the Socialites appeared to have seen off the threat until the ball fell kindly for Joe Drabble who not for the first time in his career was the calmest man in the penalty area at the old wall end lobbed the ball over McGann from ten yards out perfectly to send his side in at half time with a life line.
HALF TIME: Welton S&SC 3-1 Nettleham United
Nettleham shuffled their hand a little at the start of the second half bringing on pacey winger Matt Truelove.
Nettleham put Welton under pressure without creating any real chances of note while Welton looked dangerous on the break though and had it not been for a superb last ditch interception on Scott Coupland by Fitzpatrick Welton could have made it four.
The half continued in the same vein with Neil Stocks unlucky not to convert another dangerous Matt O Halloran corner, O Halloran also forced a good save from the Nettles keeper with a rasping 25 yard free kick.
Nettleham were looking dangerous as Welton were not able to bring on any fresh legs but with 8 minutes remaining Craig Cosgrove finally put the game beyond any doubt with another wonderful goal.
Will Carter played a raking 40 yard ball over the top of the Nettleham defence that was brought out of the air exquisitely by Cosgrove with a wonderful first touch, His touch took him past the last defender before stroking the ball past the advancing keeper into the top corner of the net to spark wild scenes amongst the Social players and supporters,
The game took a turn for the worse as the Nettleham players frustration’s threatened to boil over and a robust late challenge from former Social Park favourite Joe Drabble threatened to boil over as players from both sides offered their opinions, Thankfully order was restored and handbags were put away and Drabble escaped with a yellow card.
Welton ran down the clock and a final blast of the whistle from referee Steve Fisher who had been excellent throughout the game confirmed Welton’s passage to the Semi Finals for the fifth season in a row.
FINAL SCORE: Welton S&SC 4-1 Nettleham United
Welton will now face Waddington United who produced the result of the day as the Division 4 side beat Premier League FVA Jerusalem 2-1.
The Semi final line up is completed by Woodhall Spa United and Scothern United who saw off Welton Sports AFC in a bad tempered game at the SCG.