Lurchy's tips
With last week's feature a raving success, website editors Will Carter and James Drabble have pointed me towards this weekend's sporting fixtures as I hope to beat the bookie for the second time in as many weeks.
After correctly predicting that Bobby Sharpe would find the net and Welton would fail to keep a clean sheet I am in buoyant mood heading into this weekend. Sunday morning sees Welton welcome FSC Victory to Social Park in the pick of the Ron Eaglen second round ties. History suggests this will be an even affair with four draws being played out between the sides over the last two seasons.
However, Welton have had the better of the exchanges in recent times, a 3-1 home success against the Hoops in September certainly one to remember for the Welton faithful, and Melvin Clifford in particular.
Luke Clifford's thunderbolt lit up an otherwise even encounter that day, and when the sides met in the Ron Eaglen Cup last year it went all the way to penalties before Welton progressed. The Ron Eaglen is a competition close to the hearts of the Welton players, staff and supporters after the club secured a date at Sincil Bank for the final against Golden Eagle last year.
Although, comfortably beaten that day, Big Al and his men will be eager to return to the home of football and only a win against Victory will make that possible. Victory are currently lying sixth in the Sills & Betteridge Premier League and were held to a 1-1 draw in their last match against Hunters Leap on Sunday. The south Lincoln outfit base their game around a strong defence with Stokesy and Ash Meikle two of the most uncompromising centre halves in the county.
For all their defensive steel, however, they lack fire power and have scored just 12 goals in their six league games so far this term.If Victory are to boost their tally, then Social Park and against Welton is the prime fixture for that. Social manager Big Al faces a selection headache at the back for this game after The Socialites have shipped in seven goals during their last three fixtures at an alarming rate.
The defensive worries have forced a rethink in the Welton board room with record signing Jamie Chesman being drafted in from Lincoln Moorlands to plug the gaping holes in the rearguard. This signing could see Welton line-up in a 4-4-2 formation for the first time this season. Sam Gordon (work) is the only absentee for the home side and that could trigger a second starting debut for the the returning Tom Bowey on the right wing. The creativity of Gordon will certainly be missed, but with Clifford and Bowey potentially operating on the wings, Welton have in their possession two of the most destructive ball carriers on the planet.
It is undoubtedly a tough game to call for the tipster...
Lurchy's tip:
Under four goals during 90 minutes - 7/2
Lurchy's donut:
Dhindsa to score any time - 14/1
After last weekend's predictions were hit by the cold snap, hopefully the below will help you whilst frequenting the various bookmakers around the country on Saturday morning.
Lurchy's hat-trick: Blackburn, Derby, Scunthorpe - 11/1
Lurchy's acca: Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Nottm Forest, Peterborough, Rangers, Dunfermline, Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath - 47/1
Lurchy's outsider: Ali Carter to win the Masters - 8/1