A gutsy second half fight back from Welton S&SC against Jerusalem ensured that the Premier League Title will go down to the wire next week against FSC Victory. The Socialites fell behind ten minutes into the second half but produced a spirited comeback when Craig Cosgrove levelled immediately after, The state of the Social Park pitch finally did Welton a favour when Jerusalem goalkeeper Danny Brookes shanked a clearance straight to Scott Coupland with ten minutes to go to give Welton a vital win.
In the only bit of team news Jamie Chesman returned to the back four at left back of an otherwise unchanged starting line up for Welton.
Having got completely drenched in the warm up the Socialites started terribly conceding possession from the kick off, Jerusalem moved the ball forward quickly and Josh Schofield was sent through one on one within a matter of seconds of kick off, Fortunately for Welton the electric front man fired straight at Phil McGann who stood up well.
Nerves were clearly beginning to get to Welton and their was a lot of bickering and argueing as they struggled to forge clear cut chances against a powerful and direct Jerusalem side.
The game burst into life on the half hour mark when Jerusalem talisman Jonny Bell’s free kick curled round the wall but rattled the outside of Phil McGann’s near post that he probably had covered had the ball been on target,
Welton smashed the rebound down field to safety, Jerusalem keeper Brookes came charging out of his goal and made a hash of his clearance straight to Billy Munro, Munro volleyed goalwards from the half way line and Time seemed to stand still as the ball sailed goalwards and crashed off the underside of the bar denying the frontman a spectacular goal and leaving many Welton supporters packed into the John Stanham stand wondering if it was going to be one of those nights for Welton.
The Welton defence dealt well with Jerusalem’s direct style for the rest of the first half and started creating enough chances going forward to give them confidence for the second half with Matt O Halloran producing a couple of good save from Brookes.
HALF TIME: Welton S&SC 0-0 FVA Jerusalem
The second half was an end to end encounter and as ever the first goal was going to be all important, and to the dismay of the Welton faithful Jerusalem took the lead on the hour mark.
Having dealt comfortable with Brookes’ huge punts down field well most of the game Welton were caught out when a flicked header by Jonny Bell allowed Josh Schofield to get on the wrong side of his marker to poke the ball past McGann and tap the ball into the empty net much to the delight of the travelling supporters and players alike.
It was now do or die time for Welton and with substitutes Jack McGovern and Jason Tinkler warming up for their imminant arrival, Welton responded within minutes when Matt O Halloran’s in swinging corner from the left hand side was headed home at the far post by Craig Cosgrove beating the man on the line to give Welton a much needed boost before frustration and panic were able to set in.
With Jerusalem seemingly intent on spoiling and taking their point by launching balls over every fence and house they could Welton continued to press on looking for the winner that they so desperately needed and even with the introductions of Jason Tinkler and Jack McGovern it was difficult to see where the all important goal was coming from despite the heavy pressure until perhaps a moment of divine intervention for the Socialites.
Despite being in goal Danny Brookes was probably Jerusalem’s most creative player but his reliable left foot let him down when Scott Coupland chased down a back pass resulting in Brookes spooning the ball up into the air straight to Scott Coupland inside the penalty area.
With no one anywhere near Coupland and the keeper Welton’s captain controlled the sliced ball and took his time before blasting the ball past Brookes who had retreated back to his line to give Welton a priceless lead.
The time that followed seemed to take an eternity to play out with Jerusalem throwing the kitchen sink at Welton but Jerusalem’s time wasting antics came back to haunt them as they ran out of time and Welton now move to within striking distance of Victory if they can somehow beat them at the Cowpaddle next Wednesday night and leaving the players free to go and enjoy their night at the darts.
FULL TIME: Welton S&SC 2-1 FVA Jerusalem