Welton were looking to maintain their 100% start to the season against a struggling Tower Athletic side. Not for the first time this season Welton manger Al Taylor had to shuffle his pack and make several changes to his starting eleven. Rick Ossia was replaced in goal by Matt ‘Mayhem’ Wilkinson who was making his first appearance of the season. An unchanged back three of Carter, Snookes and Dhindsa were looking to keep another clean sheet after last weeks excellent shut out at Rustons. Weltons midfield had a familiar look to it with top scorer Luke Clifford on the left with last weeks midfield trio of captain Stocks, Tom Wilkinson and Craig Wilkinson. One change in midfield saw Pete Sutton drop back to right wing to replace Sam Gordon which meant a recall for James Drabble who partnered Scott Coupland up front. On the bench were Lee Warman, Simon Clifford and the returning Craig Cosgrove.
Welton started brightly and were immediately into their stride playing some lovely passing football. Socials early dominance was rewarded when Luke Clifford was sent through by Craig Wilkinson. Cliffords charge to goal was brought to an abrupt end as he was hauled down by a Tower defender giving the ref no choice but to point to the spot. Up stepped Scott Coupland who sent the keeper the wrong way to give Social an early lead. Welton didn’t rest on their laurels and were cutting through the Tower defence at will. One soon became two as Luke Clifford stooped low to head home a right wing cross into the top corner of the Tower net. Minutes later Welton had a third when James Drabble slotted home his first goal of the season after the Tower keeper spilled the ball into his path. The fourth goal followed shortly after and again it was James Drabble finding the net. A superb floated ball from Pete Sutton was met by the head of Luke Clifford, his header was sent back across the face of goal and was tapped home by Drabble from a couple of yards out. Bizarrely Weltons fourth goal seemed to stir the Tower into life and signalled a mini collapse by the Social. Welton became sloppy in possession and conceded two poor goals to send the sides in at half time with Welton only having a two goal lead. Anyone listening into Weltons half time team talk would have thought Welton were 4 2 down as the management team layed into everyone apart from Pete Sutton who chose to sit on his own and finish off his 4th bottle of water.
The criticism seemed to have the desired effect though especially on Luke Clifford. Welton restarted the second half and Tom Wilkinson immediately played the ball out to Luke Clifford, Clifford set off on a trademark run in field leaving defenders trailing in his wake. Clifford looked up and curled an unbelievable shot into the bottom left hand corner for what again will be a contender for goal of the season. That goal really killed off any faint hope Tower had of making a comeback and it wasn’t long before 5 became 6 as the midfield duo of Craig and Tom Wilkinson combined to score a superb goal. A 30 yard ball over the top from Craig Wilkinson sent Tom racing through. The former imp didn’t even need to take a touch as he smashed home a half volley over the keeper from 20 yards out to claim his first goal of the season. Welton were looking more solid at the back in the second half even as they were abandoned by the midfielders bombing forward looking for more goals. The one time the defence was breached Mayhem produced a superb save from a Pete Rea header tipping the ball round his right hand post at full stretch. At 6 2 up Welton made three substitutions which saw Lee Warman come on to replace Dhindsa at the back, Craig Cosgrove came onto make his competitive debut in place of Craig Wilkinson who had put in another tremendous shift in the centre of the park. The final change saw S Clifford replace the ineffective and hung over Sutton who was clearly still suffering the effects of Saturday night’s shandys. The changes breathed fresh life into the Social as Welton continued to charge forward at will. The inevitable seventh goal came through Luke Clifford. Good work down the right hand side saw Simon Clifford square across the area to Luke Clifford who thumped home with his left foot from 14 yards out. Socials 8th and final goal was scored by Scott Coupland who was able to turn in a crowded penalty area and drive home a low effort past the hapless Tower goalkeepers despairing dive.
All in all a satisfying morning for Welton who dominated the game throughout. The only concern for Welton will be the sloppy nature of the two goals they conceded and the way the whole team became to layed back and sloppy in possession as they clealy felt the hard work had been done. Minor complaints in an otherwise floorless performance. Weltons morning got even better as the results from around the other Premier League grounds were announced over the Social Park PA system. Second placed Claytons were held to a point at struggling Metheringham a result that means Welton have opened up a five point lead at the top. Welton are not in action in the league now for 5 weeks as two fixtureless weekends sandwich two cup games against Fairdeal Carpets in the County Cup and division 6 minnows Newton United in the Kelly Read cup. Then follows the two biggest games of the season against Claytons and Golden Eagle two games that will have a massive bearing on where the title ends up come what May.
Match Ratings
Mayhem (8) Confident performance. Point proved
Dhindsa (7) another strong performance at the back
Snookes (7) maintained a high line well and swept up everything
Carter (7) always available for the ball. A good outlet
Stocks (7) same old Stocksy
C Wilkinson (8) dominant again in the centre of the Park
T Wilkinson (9) At the heart of everything, Terrific display
Sutton (6) not his preferred position. Clearly not at full fitness
Clifford L (9) Another hat trick, running out of superlatives.
Coupland (8) covered every blade of grass
James Drabble (8) off the mark for the season, good performance
Subs
Cosgrove (8) used the ball well when he came on
S Clifford (8) tracked back well, very dangerous going forward
Warman (7) slotted in well at the back.
Paceys Bonus points
Clifford L***
Drabble**
T Wilkinson*
Dream team top scorer
Luke Clifford
Minutes played 90….2
Goals scored 3……...15
Assists 2……………6
Bonus points 3……...3
………………..total 26
Can we have you?
The Tower right winger was fairly tricky and was the only real threat to the Social defence.
You’re not very good!
The Tower defence were all over the place and were lucky to only concede 8.