Suicidal Snookes costs Welton

Welton’s assault on the Sills & Betteridge title suffered a major setback on Sunday as Al Taylor’s brave ten men went down 4-3 to Clayton Sports at Lee Road.

An epic encounter was ultimately decided by the recklessness of Social’s Joe Snookes after the aggressive centre half was rightly given his marching orders just five minutes into the match for a two-footed lunge.

Welton rallied admirably despite their one-man disadvantage, however a brace from the rejuvenated James Drabble and a fine header from Luke Clifford all proved in vein as Clayton’s edged a precious win.

The much-hated Dean Szendry let his football do the talking with a fine hat-trick for the hosts as Welton were left to rue what might have been as GE Millers opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table.

Welton started brightly and had the better of the opening changes, but all that suddenly changed. With less than 10 minutes on the clock Welton defender Snookes lunged in for what can only be described as a “horror tackle” on Claytons midfielder Jamie Sayce. The Sleaford-born defender jumped in two footed over the ball and was lucky no injury was caused to the Claytons midfielder.

The tackle unsurprisingly sparked a reaction from the opposition from which Sayce received a yellow card, but Snookes received a straight red for his tackle and can have no complaints to be sent for an early shower.

This left Welton with the uphill task of playing with 10 men for more than 80 minutes and having to change there formation and game plan. They reverted to a 3–5–1 formation with captain Stocks dropping back to centre half and Sutton moving to the right flank, leaving Drabble to play as a sole striker.

Welton did however make the breakthrough half an hour into the game. Some good wing play from Sutton won his side a corner, Sutton took the resulting kick and drilled in a low centre to which Drabble reacted first with a sweetly struck a half volley past an unmoved Claytons keeper much to the delight of the Welton faithful.

Claytons responded instantly though, Szendry found space and cut into the Welton box to strike a low shot which Wilkinson could only parry causing a scramble in the box and the ball eventually fell to Szendey to smash in from two yards.

The first half ended all square with no further real chance of note coming for either side.

Welton continued to battle away in the second half and at times you wouldn’t have noticed they were a man down.

Craig Wilkinson began to boss the midfield battling hard along with Tom Wilkinson. Welton’s graft was eventually rewarded when Coupland won a free kick wide on the left touchline.

Craig Wilkinson delivered a pin point cross onto the head of Clifford who powered home a header from the edge of the area leaving the keeper with no chance.

It was a case of déjà vu as once again Welton let there lead slip instantly. Straight from kick-off Claytons attacked Welton down the right wing and won a throw in near the corner flag. The Claytons winger was able to deliver a cross into the box and Szendry somewhat fortuitously sent the ball into the corner of the net off his shoulder.

Having twice seen there opposition come back and equalise many could have envisaged the now tiring ten men of Welton running out of steam, but once again they showed their steel.

Welton’s case was helped however when Claytons hard tackling midfielder Sayce received his marching orders for a second bookable offence to leave the game evenly balanced at 10 aside.

Clifford was getting more and more involved since his goal and it was the winger who created the third for his side. He powered his way past the right back and pulled the ball back into the box for Drabble to get across his marker and once again smash the ball Amr Zaki-esque into the roof of the net to reclaim the lead and put his side 3–2 up.

Welton continued to battle away and fight for everything and with 25minutes to go looked good value to hold onto their lead at the third time of asking. But with ten minutes to go Welton failed to deal with another set piece.

Claytons launched a free kick into the box and Welton allowed the Clayton’s attacker to ghost in at the far post and roll the ball across the six yard box for Szendry to tap in and complete his hat-rick.

This seemed to knock the steam out of Welton who didn’t look to have anything left and Claytons struck again. With only minutes left on the clock another set piece led to the village side’s downfall. A deep cross was not dealt with and another scramble saw the ball fall to Claytons forward North to head into an empty net from yards out.

This was the final action and Welton left Lee Road disappointed to come out on the wrong end of a seven goal thriller.

Player Ratings

M.Wilkinson – 6 Could have done better with first goal
S.Clifford – 8 Stuck to task well
Snookes – 3 Sent off very early for horror tackle
Dhindsa – 7 Usual reliable self
Stocks – 7 Converted to centre half role excellently
C.Wilkinson – 8 Battled for everything
T.Wilkinson – 8 Worked tirelessly
S.Coupland – 7 Freedom restrictedP.Sutton – 7 Didn’t see as much of ball as would have liked
J.Drabble – 8 Lone role, 2 excellent finishes
L.Clifford – 7 Goal and an assist

Subs
Cosgrove – 6 No time to make impact
Taylor
Gordon

PACEYS BONUS POINTS

*** Drabble

** C.Wilkinson

* S.Clifford


CAN WE HAVE YOU – Dean Szendry

He may not be everyones favourite player but he scored a hatrick and continued to cause the Welton defence problems throughout the game.

YOUR NOT VERY GOOD – George Zverner

Thai International scouts apparently watching this man, don't think they will be too impressed on this showing.

Dream Team Star Man

James Drabble - 13 points (90mins - 2points, 2goals - 8 points, 3bonus points)