CLIFFORD BROTHERS COMBINE TO SINK VICTORY

For the second year running Welton Sports & Social Club knocked Premier League rivals FSC Victory out of the Ron Eaglen Cup to progress to the quarter-final stage.

As always it was a close encounter between the two sides with a determined Victory looking to inflict Welton’s first defeat at Social Park for two years. A brace from Luke Clifford, and a goal apiece from brother Simon and the free-scoring captain Neil Stocks was enough to see Welton safely into the hat for the last eight.

After going 2-0 down Victory fought back to 2-2 with goals from Booth and an unfortunate Jaz Dhindsa own goal, however it was The Socialites who snatched the spoils.

Big Al was full of surprises when announcing the team. Many fans and players have been crying out for the Scotsman to revert to a 4-4-2 formation and he answered their prayers on Sunday morning.

Ossai continued in goal protected by a new look back four of Dhindsa, Taylor R, Joe Snookes and Jamie Chesman who was making his home debut for the club. The Clifford brothers occupied the right and left of midfield, with Stocks and Tom Wilkinson in the middle. Drabble, J.T and Coupland, S continued upfront leaving a very strong bench of Will Carter, Craig Wilkinson and Tom Bowey much to the delight of the home crowd.

Welton started the game the brighter of the sides and created the first real chance when out of nothing Drabble picked out the run of Clifford, L who outpaced his marker only for his shot to be saved by the Victory keeper.

It was left up to older brother Simon to show Luke how it was done when he skipped passed his marker and fired the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area leaving the keeper with no chance.

Welton should have been 2-0 ahead minutes later after some more pressure from the home side earned them a corner. The ball was fired around the box and fell to the diminutive Coupland to outjump the Victory goalkeeper and head into the back of the net. Unfortunatley for Coupland and Welton the referee had seen something no one else had and disallowed the goal for an unfair challenge on the keeper.

Welton didn’t dwell on the poor decision and soon scored their second goal of the morning. Another goalmouth scramble in the Victory area saw the ball fall to Clifford L, who made no mistake in smashing the ball through a crowd of players and into the back of the net – much to the delight of on looking father Melvin in the John Stanham end.

Victory managed to pull a goal back just before half time with a freak goal. Left winger Booth delivered a corner which eluded everyone and sailed straight into the back of the net much to the annoyance of Big Al.

Half time: Welton 2 Victory 1

Welton kicked off the second half knowing the next goal was crucial. Unfortunately for them it was Victory who pulled things level. The away side had rarely threatened Ossai’s goal and were struggling to create chances apart from set pieces.

The ‘Hoops’ got their second of the morning when their right winger swung in a deep cross in behind the Welton defence and was heading straight into the path of the onrushing striker. Instead of the Victory attacker slotting home, Dhindsa took matters into his own hands and clinically converted into his own net past the hapless Ossai.

This gave Victory a real lift and they were having the better of the play and restricting Welton’s usual free flowing football. In a scrappy affair frustration was setting in and an ‘off the ball’ incident between Clifford, L and a Victory midfielder resulted in both players receiving yellow cards. There were also bookings for debutant Chesman for Welton, and Stokes and Symonds for Victory.

It was Welton though who retook the lead and it came by the way of their inspirational skipper Stocks. Stocks received the ball and threaded a pass through to Drabble, who returned the favour to the Carlton Boulevard resident who lashed the ball home from all of 25 yards through the hands of the Victory keeper.

That strike made it five goals in his last five games for Stocks, who is now second behind Carlton Cole in the list of the most free scoring players in 2009.

This goal seemed to knock the wind out of the Hoops sail and Welton now looked in total control. Taylor replaced Drabble, who was struggling with an injury to his ribs with Wilkinson, C to sure things up, and minutes later fans’ favourite Carter took up his familiar role at right back in place of Dhindsa.

With time running out Victory were becoming more and more advanced and leaving gaps for the Socialites to exploit. Welton took full advantage of this and Coupland slid in Clifford, L who calmly slotted home for his second of the game to virtually put Welton’s name in the hat for the next round.

The win did come at a cost for Taylor’s men though as with minutes remaining Wilkinson, T pulled up with a hamstring injury much to the concern of the Welton faithful.It is hoped his injury is not too serious and he should be back in action shortly.

But the famous saying “every cloud has a silver lining” could be said when Bowey, T took to the pitch much to the delight of the home crowd and in particular Richard Drabble. Bowey was involved immediately and could have put the gloss on the mornings performance when he sent an effort just wide of the post. Vintage Bow.

MATCH RATINGS

Ossai (7) mostly untroubled, dealt with crosses well
Dhindsa (7) solid performance, unfortunate own goal
Chesman (8) commanding display
Snookes (8) Powerful display in the heart of the defence
Taylor (7) looked comfortable in new role
S Clifford (7) energetic display, took his goal well
Stocks (8) ran the midfield, another rare goal
T wilkinson (7) in the wars, will be missed if injury proves serious
Clifford L (8) two more goals, back to his bullish best
Drabble (7) worked his socks off
Coupland (7) strangely subdued performance
Subs
C Wilkinson(8) sured up the midfield when the going got tough
Carter (7) again didnt put a foot wrong when he came on.
Bowey (6) No time to make an impact, Good to see him back

Can we have you?

Sean Booth was arguably their biggest threat, Wilkinson up front also looked dangerous.

Youre not very Good!

Gaz Symons the midfield 'hardman' had a morning to forget