WELTON TOO SHARPE FOR BOBBY AND CO

Welton Sports & Social Club kept their County Cup dream alive with a professional 7 – 4 victory over Janney’s Allstars at Quibbel Park.

In a game dominated with pre-match hype surrounding the threat of Allstars front duo of Boddy Sharpe and Byron Waudby it was Welton’s attacking force who stole the show as they fired their side into the quarter finals.

The win sets up a last eight clash against the onlooking Queen Bess as goals from James Drabble (2), Tom Wilkinson, the prolific Neil Stocks, Sam Gordon from the spot, Luke Clifford and Scot Coupland saw the Socialites progress.

Another safisfying away day for Welton's loyal travelling army of supporters was made even more enjoyable prior to kick-off when fans' favourite Tom Bowey was paraded before them - the dimunutive winger receiveing a repturous reception by all at Quibbel Park.

Welton kicked off in front of a near sell out crowd knowing this would be no walkover despite Janneys playing in the third tier of the Scunthorpe league. Although the Lincoln side didn’t start very brightly, possibly down to the fact they have been out of action for the last three weeks, they did manage to take the lead five minutes into the game.

Some good work from Clifford, L saw him send over a through ball for the onrushing Wilkinson, T who has scythed down in the box by the Janney’s centre half who could have no complaints as the referee pointed to the spot. Newly-appointed penalty taker Gordon justified his appointment as he fired past the keeper with consummate ease.

Despite suffering an early setback Janney’s were undeterred and starting taking the game to their visitors, some good link up play between the destructive Sharpe and Waudby creating chances for the hosts as the Welton defence appeared all at sea in the early stages.

Janney’s pressure finally paid off when a corner was spilled by the usually deeecent Ric Ossai and the ball fell to an unknown Janneys player to tap home from yards out. Things got even better for the hosts as they took an unexpected 2 – 1 lead. The much talked about Sharpe ruthlessly pouncing on more slack defending to send the Allstars fans into dreamland.

If the first goal wasn’t a wake up call for Welton the second certainly was and the visitors soon responded. The ever dangerous Wilkinson, T literally dragged Welton off the floor to pull his side level from another well-worked set play. Gordon delivered, Wilkinson pounced, and at the second time of asking smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

And, just minutes before the interval, Big Ail's soup was made to taste even sweeter for the away supporters as the recalled and reformed James Drabble was left with the simplest of tasks to slot home from six yards to put Welton 3-2 ahead at the break.

HALF TIME: Welton 3 – 2 Janney’s Allstars

Janney’s started the second half in similar fashion to the first putting Welton's back three, who were clearly suffering without the effervescent Will Carter at the heart of the defence, under serious pressure from the start.

And it wasn’t long before scores were level for the third time in the game. A long ball over the top saw the ball only half cleared and it fell to a Janney’s midfielder to fire home from the edge of the area. The game was evenly poised at three goals a piece and both sides knew the next goal would be crucial. The seventh goal went to the Socialites in spectacular fashion as Drabble neatly controlled a bouncing ball in the area before volleying the ball into the far corner of the net past the outstretched keeper.

This goal seemed to all but kill off Janney’s and Welton quickly increased their lead when Wilkinson, T slipped through Clifford, L one-on-one and the latter made no mistake by slotting the ball past the Janney’s keeper.

This goal triggered a triple substitution from Welton manager Taylor - the Scotsman showed off his array of defensive talent by bringing off, Drabble, Craig Wilkinson and Dhindsa, who had early made a contender for tackle of the season, for Carter, Snookes and Chesman, the latter making his debut for the Social. Welton then reverted to a 4-4-2 formation with the three substitutes joining Taylor at the back allowing Clifford, S to move into midfield, and Wilkinson, T joined Coupland upfront.

It was now a question of how many Welton would get and they soon made it six. A clever free kick from Gordon was headed past his own keeper by the Janneys centre half ‘Wheats’ allowing captain Stocks' tremendous goalscoring form to continue as he headed into an empty net to make it five in five for him. Coupland resumed business as usual in getting Welton’s final goal of the afternoon converting past the keeper from a good cross by Luke Clifford.

Janney’s did manage to get a consolation goal despite some heroic goal line clearances from Carter as they were able to head home from a corner at the second attempt. Welton could have added more goals but in the end the scoreline finished Welton 7 – 4 Janney’s Allstars. Welton will now entertain another Scunthorpe side, Queen Bess in the quarter finals.

The afternoon kick-off was unusual for the Socialites and many of the players were starving having not eating prior to the early afternoon kick-off. So when they heard sausages and chips were on the menu at Janney’s pub they were delighted, but not all went to plan as Welton went in convey to the pub led by the ever-reliable Clive Wilkinson.

However, the financial advisor's geography eluded him in spectacular fashion as he managed to take the whole team to the wrong pub and the squad had to do without their food. However, in a gracious act of apology, Clive has agreed to get the beers in after the County Cup quarter-final clash against Queen Bess on Sunday February 1.

Match Ratings

Ossai (6) looked uncharacteristically shaky in the first half.
Taylor (6) put to the sword in the first half, improved in the second.
S Clifford (6) not at his best, looked lively in the middle late on.
Dhindsa (7) stuck to his task well.
Stocks (6) on the score sheet again
C Wilkinson (6) a first half to forget, guilty of dwelling on the ball at times
T Wilkinson (8) Weltons best player by a distance with his powerful surges
Gordon (7) always an outlet
Clifford L (7) poor performance by his standards but still a threat
Drabble (7) took a while to get going, but took his goals well
Coupland (7) had to drop deep a lot, looked assured in possession

Subs

Carter (7) cleared 2 off the line, calm in possession
Snookes (7) solid performance, maintained a high line
Chesman (7) encouraging debut

Bonus points

T Wilkinson 3
Dhindsa 2
Coupland 1

Can we have you?

Decent side clearly too good for Division 3. The number 15 in centre midfield was probably the pick of the bunch, strong in the tackle and a threat going forward also possessed a massive throw.

You’re not very good

The Guy who got red carded after he had been subbed. Reasonable player but like so many opponents this season not the brightest.