Welton went into todays game looking to maintain their 100% start to the season, Welton also had the added incentive of knowing that a win would send them top of the table. For the first time this season Big Al had almost the whole of his first team squad to pick from. For the first time ever in an away fixture at Rustons it wasn’t raining and the wind wasn’t blowing so conditions were perfect for football. Welton lined up in their usual 3 5 2 formation with Osiah in goal the formidable back three of Snookes, Carter and Dhindsa. A much changed midfield quintet to last week saw Clifford L, T Wilkinson and Stocks maintain their place in the starting line up, they were joined this week by Craig Wilkinson and Sam Gordon who operated down the right. Up front were Sutton and the returning Coupland which meant that for the first time in 3 seasons Weltons all time leading scorer James Drabble dropped to the bench where he was joined by Ross Taylor and Lee Warman.
Welton started the brighter of the 2 sides knocking the ball about well and creating several early chances the best of which came through Craig Wilkinson who faked to shoot from the edge of the area leaving 2 defenders for dead he then cut inside another on to his favoured right foot but curled his effort agonisingly wide of the left hand post. Rustons offered little in attack and relied on through balls from the inventive Clucas in midfield to try and pick apart the solid Welton back three. Welton held a high line which meant that most of the balls played over the top by Rustons ran through to the excellent Osiah in the Welton goal. Welton were looking dangerous going forward and almost broke the deadlock through Clifford L who rifled a right footed effort goalwards only for the Rustons keeper to divert Lukes powerful effort onto his right hand post. It was not long before Weltons early pressure was rewarded with the opening goal. An excellent burst down the right flank by Tom Wilkinson saw the former Imp looping a ball across. Rustons keeper Phil Mcgann came charging from his line and appeared to catch the ball cleanly but as he fell to the ground the ball squirmed from his grasp straight at the feet of the returning Coupland who accepted the gift by passing the ball into the empty net to give the Social a deserved lead. The first half was not all plain sailing for Welton though and Rustons direct style was causing the Welton defensive trio problems but they always found a way of clearing the danger. Rustons did manage to get the ball into the Welton net when again another long ball from deep saw Rustons forward Hutchinson get through to stab the ball past Osiah only to be denied by John Stanhams flag.
Welton almost doubled their lead before half time when a counter attack down the left through Clifford and Sutton saw the latter player sending a low ball across the area perfectly into the path of Stocks who at full stretch could only divert the cross wide of the post.
Half time 1 0 Welton
Unchanged, the Social returned for the second half and instantly went close through Tom Wilkinson who shot directly from the centre. Wilkinsons effort drifted agonisingly over the bar. The second goal was clearly going to be crucial in this game and at times in the second half it looked like it could go to either way as both sides looked dangerous on the counter attack but both defences stood firm. Welton had a couple of chances with Coupland, C Wilkinson and Stocks dragging efforts wide from 20 yards out. The game was becoming stretched and a 2nd goal seemed inevitable and it arrived on the hour mark through Sutton who found the back of the net with a rasping half volley. Welton had been absorbing a period of pressure from Rustons when a ball from the right hand side was caught brilliantly by Osiah who immediately sent a kick down the field towards Sutton. Sutton somehow brought the ball down with his right foot, his touch was perfect and the ball sat up beautifully for the man they call the Sutdog and he smashed home his half volley into the top corner from the edge of the area for what surely will be one of the goals of the season and the goal of the iconic front mans career.
Weltons 2nd didn’t kill off Rustons though and the men from Newark Road pushed the Welton defence further and further back but unfortunately for them they just couldn’t find the key to unlock the door. Welton continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and really should have extended their lead in the 72nd minute when Scott Coupland was sent racing through on goal, Coupland unselfishly squared the ball across the goal to Weltons leading scorer Luke Clifford who blazed wide from 5 yards out when it seemed easier to score.
Welton knew that if Rustons were to score next the last 10 minutes would be frantic and they almost did through Clucas whos effort from the edge of the area only just cleared Osiahs cross bar. Fortunatley for Welton they were able to grab the third goal that killed the game and it arrived through a familiar source as Luke Clifford grabbed his fifth goal in 3 games. Much like the 2nd goal a long ball from the hands of Osiah wasn’t dealt with by the Rustons defence and Clifford was able to use his strength and out muscle the defender and bring the ball under control inside the area and pass the ball coolly under the Rustons keeper to seal Weltons 3rd win in as many games. Welton held on to record their first clean sheet of the season which was richly deserved for the determined defending of all the men in blue and white.
With Claytons not having a game today Weltons victory sent them to the top of the Premier League, a position they will hope to maintain for the rest of the season which is looking like becoming a three horse race between Welton, Claytons and champions GE Millers. Welton have made a perfect start to the season and keeping their first clean sheet of the season will only increase the feel good factor at Social Park.
Match Ratings
Osiah (9) superb display and his kicking set up two goals
Dhindsa (8) growing in stature at the back. Terriffic
Snookes (9) what a signing he is proving to be
Carter (7) Defended well but at times his distribution let him down
Stocks (9) won everything in the middle
C Wilkinson (9) always available for the ball. Another fine display
T Wilkinson (8) caused the defence problems all day with his forward bursts
Clifford L (8) took his goal well
Gordon(8) defended well. Linked up well with Coupland down the right
Sutton (9) a constant threat, stunning strike
Coupland (8) good to have him back
Subs
Drabble (6) no time to make an impact
Dream team top scorer
Osiah
Minutes played 90…….2
Goals conceded 0………4
Assists 2………………...6
Saves 3…………………....1
Total 13
Paceys bonus points
Stocks***
Sutton**
Dhindsa*
Can we have you?
The Rustons wags. A superb collection of blondes and brunettes providing a distraction as they cheered on Rustons this morning. More than welcome down at social park, especially one of the blondes who really caught the eye, fair play to the Rustons lads.
You’re not very good!
Phil Mcgann. A lot of hype surrounds the Rustons keeper but his error gifted Welton the lead. Not in Osiahs league.