Newcastle taken to Toon in 10 goal thriller

Welton advanced into round four of the County Cup on Sunday, but they were pushed all the way as they recorded a 6-4 victory after extra time against FC Newcastle.

For the second week in succession Welton were guilty of conceding four goals, however their firepower in attack eventually proved decisive.

In-form James Drabble continued his scoring streak as he, Scott Coupland and Luke Clifford all bagged a brace to keep the Socialites Cup dream alive.

With the game fascinatingly poised at 3 -3 after 90mins, The Castle seemed to have run out of steam as the hosts ended up winning comfortably with a 6–4 scoreline at the end of extra time.

Not for the first time this season Welton had to change their starting XI as they were without influential players Tom Wilkinson (hamstring) and Pete Sutton (work). They did however welcome back goalkeeper Ossai.

He was protected by last seasons consistent back three, Carter who, along with Ross Taylor returned to full fitness, and the pair were joined by Simon Clifford at the back. Sam Gordon reclaimed his place on the right of midfield, Luke Clifford was on the left and Craig Wilkinson and captain Stocks were accompanied by Jas Dhindsa who was given a more advanced role in a cup competition he has made his own over the last couple of seasons.

The rejuvinated James Drabble was partnered upfront by Coupland - Joe Snookes and Lee Warman were deservedly on the bench.

Newcastle did not have the best preparation for the morning’s game, their team bus suffered a puncture three miles away from Social Park which caused a delayed kick-off.

Desite the transportation setback, this did not seem to effect the vocal ‘Castle’ following who braved the journey and conditions and were drinking cans of Carling like it was going out of fashion. The pitch had suffered from the heavy rainfall and conditions were not going to allow free flowing passing moves that Welton do so well.

It was the home side who started the brightest and Newcastle had their keeper to thank for keeping the scores level. First of all Luke Clifford went on one of his powerful surges and his stinging shot was superbly saved by the keeper.

Then Luke Clifford again who was causing his opponent ‘Beef’ all sorts of problems with his pace was fouled on the edge of the area with his slide taking him well into the area, the referee pointed the spot and awarded Welton a penalty.

Up stepped the ever reliable Coupland but his effort was well saved by the Castles impressive keeper. Welton didn’t let their heads drop and kept pressing and eventually their pressure was rewarded with a fine strike from the impressive Luke Clifford. Clifford received the ball on the half way line, eased past two opposition defenders and smashed the ball in from a tight angle.

Once again Welton were unable to hold onto a lead and it was another set piece that proved their undoing. A corner from the left was whipped into the back post for the Castle right winger to head home unmarked. This seemed to wake up the Boston side and they were now getting into the game, and they soon took the lead when their right back found himself free 20 yards out to unleash a rasping strike which went in off the bar to give the away side the lead.

Welton began to get a grip on the game and with Stocks and Wilkinson battling hard in the centre of the park, Gordon and Clifford were looking threatening out wide. It was Gordon who created Welton’s equaliser. He used great skill to beat his man and whipped in an undefendable delivery in the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ leaving the oncoming Drabble the simplest of tasks to slot home and level the scores. Welton went into half time looking the better side and always looked threatening going forward. But just before half time all of Weltons hard work was once again undone as against the run of play Newcastle took the lead when a cross was only half cleared by Ossia to the 'Castle' centre forward who smashed home from close range. Welton took heart at half time though when they were informed their opponents were tiring and in particular ‘Castles’ right back Beef much to the enjoyment of Clifford L.

The start to the second half was evenly balanced with neither side really creating a chance of note. Welton managed to haul themselves level again and once more Gordon was the provider. The antiques dealer received the ball out wide and delivered another pinpoint cross for Luke Clifford to emphatically head home into the corner of the net. This goal rattled the Boston side who resulted to some bad fouls and earned themselves three bookings.

Manager Taylor decided to try and change things in the search for a winner. The reformed Dhindsa was replaced by Snookes who moved into the back three and allowed Simon Clifford to be pushed into midfield. Welton were playing some good football and had a couple of half chances but in the end time ran out and both sides headed for extra time. With the big East Midlands derby on Sky at 13.15 this is not what Welton were hoping for but the spectators defied the conditions and stayed out to witness what was turning into a classic at Social Park.

Full time: Welton Sports & Social 3 – 3 FC Newcastle

Welton went straight at Newcastle from the restart. They broke down the right and Coupland played a hopeful ball down the line, Drabble chased what seemed to be a lost cause and got hauled down earning his side a free kick in a dangerous position, Gordon who had been nicknamed David Bentley before kick off lived up to his billing and claimed his third assist of the morning with a well worked set piece. He whipped in a low free kick to the near post for Coupland to run onto and slot into the far corner to once again give Welton the lead.

The Castle were looking tired and there only looked as though there was one side going to win. Welton’s passing and movement was a joy to watch at times and this resulted in them opening up a two goal cushion for the first time in the match. Once again the influential Gordon was involved beating his marker once more before floating over a perfect cross for Drabble to head home his second of the morning and looked to have put Welton into the hat for the next round.

However as had been the story all game there was another twist in the tale. The resilient Newcastle came back at Welton and pulled one back on the stoke of half time, the forward finished well from just inside the Welton area. This left the home fans in line for a nervy finish once again. Welton started the second half of extra time in similar fashion to the first and went on the attack from the off, Luke Clifford burst through a couple of times only to be denied by the impressive Boston keeper once more. It was Clifford who had the last say though as he went on another mazy run beating three defenders and leaving himself one on one with the keeper this time he opted to unselfishly roll the ball across for Coupland to tap into an empty net.

With ten minutes to go Taylor replaced Drabble who was unfortunate to pick up a booking and sured things up by bringing on Warman. Warman was quickly involved and was on the receiving end of a two footed lunge and god only knows how the already booked ‘Jack’ escaped without a card. Joe Snookes would have felt aggrieved as it was similar to the one he received a straight red for last week.

Welton ended up winning 6–4 and have been rewarded with a trip to Grantham league side Cranwell PSC in round 4.

Match ratings

Ossia (7) not his best performance but made some good saves
Taylor (8) like he’d never been away, Dominant in the air
S Clifford (8) calm head at the back swept up superbly
Carter (7) Good use of the ball but defensively suspect
Stocks (8) same old Stocks
Gordon (9) World class delivery from the right. Superb.
C Wilkinson (7) another strong shift in the middle
Dhindsa (7) put himself about in the midfield bog
Clifford L (9) simply brilliant
Coupland (8) recovered well after his penalty miss, a constant threat
Drabble (8) 2 more well taken goals from the in form striker

Subs
Snookes (8) much calmer performance
Warman (7) little time to make impact

Paceys Bonus points

Clifford L ***
Gordon **
Stocks*

Dream team top scorer

Luke Clifford

Minutes played 90 ..2
Assist 1 ………………..3
Goals scored 2 ………10
Bonus …………………..3
Total…………………...18

Can we have you?

A few decent players on show for The Newcastle. Number 11 up front was a constant threat but the pick of the bunch was probably their keeper who made several excellent saves including a Scott Coupland penalty.

You’re not very good!

Jack Smith at the back wasn’t very bright and mildly psychotic but right midfielder ‘Beef’ was no match for the rampant Clifford.