Welton S&SCFC V FSC Victory
Welton arrived for todays game against FSC Victory knowing that the result of todays game would have a huge bearing on the rest of the season. Three points for either side would send a message out to the rest of the league and in particular the watching Golden Eagle that these two sides are realistic title contenders. It was no secret that Welton were horrendously short of players for todays game but Big Al on paper at least had a talented starting eleven, that were more than capable of going out and getting the job done. Welton stuck to their attacking principals and lined up in a familiar 3-5-2 formation with Osiah in the sticks, the back three that saw Welton ride out the storm at Hunters Leap, Dhindsa on the left Snookes in the centre and Carter on the right. In a much changed midfield quintet Captain Stocks and Clifford L were the only survivors from last week due to Craig Wilkinsons suspension and Sam Gordons work commitments. Craig Wilkinson was replaced by Tom Wilkinson and Sam Gordon was replaced by S Clifford. The quintet was completed by local hero Joe Drabble on the right wing. Upfront were fan favourites James Drabble and Peter David Sutton.
Much like last week the first half was a very tense affair with neither side creating many chances. Welton were on the back foot for the majority of the first half with Victory pumping balls up forward and getting the better of the midfield battle without ever really creating too many clear cut chances. Set pieces were going to be crucial in this game and Welton defended Victorys well rehearsed corner and free Kick routines with relative ease, Welton too were struggling with their set plays most notably a speculative free kick from James Drabble from all of 35 yards out that succeeded only in troubling a birds nest high in the trees at the beck end rather than the goal. However the depleted Social created a couple of decent chances in the first half. A right wing cross from Carter was met by the head of Tom Wilkinson who couldn’t generate enough power on his header to trouble the Victory goalkeeper. The standout chance from the first half came when Luke Clifford was sent through down the left hand side; Clifford jinked his way into the area and was possibly caught in two minds with Sutton screaming at him for a square ball Clifford drove across the area but Cliffords effort cannoned off Sutton into the arms of the greatful keeper.
Half time 0-0
The opening stages of the second half sore a number of bookings for Victory defenders for fouls on Sutton and Clifford, these would eventually prove key to the outcome of the game. 2 yellow cards in quick succession for victory defender Stokes both for shocking tackles on the lively Sutton resulted in the dominant centre half receiving his marching orders from the ref. Stokes could have been sent off for his first challenge as Sutton skipped past him and would have been through on goal but for a shocking challenge by the defender.With the chants from the Welton side line of “There’s nothing you can do when he goes past you, The SutDog” ringing in his ears Stokes again scythed down Sutton, perhaps to prove James Drabble wrong as Drabble told Sutton to run at the defender as he would be unable to dive in because of the risk of another yellow card. Stokes declared “I can” and proceeded to hurl himself two footed at Sutton leaving the ref no choice but to send him off. With their backs against the wall the Victory did not capitulate and the ten men somehow managed to take the lead. Weltons half time orders to pass the ball out from the back came back to haunt them as sloppy play down the left hand side sore Victory midfielder Symons burst through only to be tackled by Carter the ball fell to O Rourke who tried to pull the ball back to the centre forward only to be denied again by Carter but still the ball fell to the swarm of Victory players, Several more blocks by Stocks and Dhindsa proved irrelevant as the ball fell at the feet of Victory hard-man Gaz Symonds who’s goal bound effort was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Joe Drabble.
Weltons season was hanging on a knife edge, Anything other than 3 points would surely have meant the end of Weltons title aspirations after only 2 games. Welton needed a response and a response they got. A Left wing corner was drilled in by Sutton and was met powerfully by Luke Clifford, Cliffords near post header flew into the net and this proved to be the catalyst for an astonishing and uncharacteristic Welton fight back. The immediate equaliser breathed new life into Social and now the game was back on level terms Social and in particular Luke Clifford raised their game. In the 72nd minute Clifford picked up the ball just inside his own half , Clifford surged past the Victory right winger and kept going leaving men in his wake, with heavy encouragement from assistant manager Lee Coupland, Clifford kept on running past 4 Victory defenders until he found himself 25 yards out from goal, on his weaker right foot Clifford opted for placement rather than power for the first time in his career and his shot curled beautifully into the bottom corner past the diving Victory goalkeeper to send the Social park faithful into delirium. A mass pile on ensued on the half way line as Clifford ran over to Lee Coupland who had encouraged Luke to go on his marauding run, Welton boss Big Al was a little slow in joining the celebrations so he instead opted to run on to the pitch as play was about to resume and give Clifford a sensual back massage, Much to the dismay of his son and Wife on the sidelines. Welton knew that the 10 men of Victory were not dead and buried and it would take another goal to kill the game off. Welton were lucky to maintain their man advantage when the red mist descended over centre back Joe Snookes. Not content with fouling Victory left winger Sean Booth, Snookes proceeded to sit on him shove his face in the mud and give him a boot up the arse for good measure with the referee just yards away, Snookes somehow escaped with a yellow card, Welton defended the resulting free kick and were swiftly rewarded with the crucial third goal through the man of the moment Luke Clifford. Clifford set off on another trademark run into the area and for the second time in as many games Clifford was unceremoniously bundled to the ground. A touching moment sore regular penalty taker Pete Sutton hand the ball to Clifford to give the wide man the chance to complete his perfect hat trick. Despite a shout of miss from the travelling support Clifford sent the keeper the wrong way and buried the spot kick in the bottom right hand corner of the net. Welton held on to take a vital and at times an unlikely three points from the game. Weltons 100% start to the season is all the more miraculous when you take into consideration the headaches that boss Taylor has had just finding a starting eleven for the first two games. Taylor goes into next weeks game at Ruston Sports with a completely different headache as 3 of his star men return to the fold. Taylor has many tough decisions to make as the warriors that saw off one of their main title rivals must surely feel that they have done enough to maintain their place next week.
Match Ratings
Osiah (9) Superb kicking and handling was immaculate in difficult conditions
Dhindsa (8) Tremendous performance improving with every game
Snookes (8.5) A tower of strength at the back
Carter (8) Dependable as usual
Stocks (8) Same old Stocks
Joe Drabble (8) selfless defensive performance but still a threat going forward
S Clifford (8) Busy performance in the midfield bog
T Wilkinson (8) more to come, Welton didn’t play to his strengths
Clifford L (9.5) Scintillating
Sutton (8.5) regaining his confidence with every game, excellent
James Drabble (8) A good outlet, ran his socks off
Subs
Ottewell (6) didn’t have enough time to make impact
Warman (6) will benefit from getting this run out
Dream team top scorer
Luke Clifford
Minutes played 82...........2
Goals scored 3..................15
bonus points 3...................3
total 20
Paceys bonus points
Clifford L ***
Sutton **
Snookes*
Can we have you?
A few contenders from a decent team, left winger Sean Booth was a constant threat but defender Ashley Meacles was probably the pick of the bunch.
You’re not very good!
Stokes. Similar to last week. Without a shadow of a doubt one of the best defenders in the league but needlessly got himself sent off, Not the sharpest knife in the draw.