The eleven men hoping to bring the County Cup home to Lincoln were Rick Ossai in goal, Carter and Taylor at full backs with a new look centre back pairing of Jamie Chesman and Matt Gordon in for the absent Joe Snookes, Welton named an unchanged midfield of Clifford L and Sam Gordon on the wings with S Clifford and Captain Stocks in the middle. Up front were last weeks pairing of Sutton and Coupland. Welton were able to name 5 subs for the County Cup final and these were Drabble, Bowey, Tom Wilkinson and Leigh Warman and Matt Wilkinson made the step up after impressing for the reserves in recent weeks.
Welton started brightly but it was instantly obvious that the opposition were a well organised unit as they didn’t give Welton any time to settle on the ball. Welton made the early breakthrough with abn excellent goal from Pete Sutton. Scott Coupland dropped deep to pick up the ball and was able to turn and set Luke Clifford sprinting clear down the left wing. Clifford crossed perfectly for Sutton who side footed home from 8 yards out and give the Welton faithful genuine belief that the County Cup may have been coming back to Welton.
Weltons joy was short lived though as a cross was luckily headed in via a deflection. Milan could have gone in at half time with the lead but luckily Milan forward Call was unable to capitalise on a Jamie Chesman error.
Welton came back out for the second half optimistic but Milan had made two changes that completely changed the game. Milans new left winger was able to put in a cross after Welton failed to clear a corner. The cross was met perfectly by the centre forward who headed home from the edge of the box to give his side the lead. Minutes later Welton were dealt a hammer blow when Milan extended their lead further. The ball was played forward to the big centre forward who appeared to be offside but the linesmans flag wasn’t raised and his cushioned header down to the feet of his partner Call who finished superbly from the edge of the area.
Social looked like a beaten side at this point and 3 soon became four for Milan when Call completed his hat trick heading home another left wing cross.
Welton rang the changes bringing on Tom Wilkinson, Tom Bowey and fan favourite James Drabble much to the delight of a packed St Andrews stand. Welton battled on bravely and eventually got their reward with the last kick of the game. Carter sent over a right wing cross that was collected by Luke Clifford. Clifford tricked his way to the touch line and crossed low for Sutton who smashed home to give the scoreline a little more respectability.
So sadly it wasn’t to be for the brave Socialites but just reaching the County Cup final is an achievement in itself and there is no disgrace in losing to a side like Milan.
FC Milan 4-2 Welton S&SCFC
Can we have you?
A number of candidates the captain at centre back was rock solid but the left winger in the second half was a very good player.
You’re not very good!
The left back in the first half who Welton had targeted as a weak link but unfortunately for Welton he was subbed at half time.