Welton already knew the line up after Thursdays meeting and the team was Ossai in goal making his last appearance for the Club. Back four of Taylor, Carter, Chesman and Snookes, across the midfield were Gordon, Stocks, Simon and Luke Clifford and up front were Scott Coupland and local hero James Drabble.
Good work from Will Carter and Luke Clifford before kick off ensured that Welton warmed up at their lucky end and it was that end that Welton defended in the first half attacking towards the Stacey West stand.
Welton looked confident from the outset passing the ball around nicely on a Sincil Bank pitch that was suffering the effects of a long season. Welton carved out a couple of early chances but Anglers were dangerous from set pieces as they threw all their big men up for set pieces all over the pitch. A Welton goal looked on the cards though and it duly arrived from a Sam Gordon free kick.
Luke Clifford was hacked down on the left wing about 25 yards out to earn the free kick Welton piled bodys into the area for Gordons delivery. Gordon curled in a beautiful ball that flew past everybody including the goalkeeper into the top corner to give Welton a deserved lead.
Social didn’t take their foot of the gas and Anglers looked like rabbits caught in the headlights of a speeding juggernaut as the Social zipped the ball about constructing moves patiently along the floor and waiting for the right moment to pick off the Anglers.
Gordon almost doubled his and his sides tally when he rattled the cross bar with a twenty yard free kick but it wasn’t long before the second goal came along and again it was a move and finish of real quality.
Welton built from the back and after ten or so passes the ball eventually made it over to Luke Clifford who fired a cross / shot across the crowded penalty area that was brilliantly controlled by Scott Coupland. Coupland turned and took the ball round his marker and lashed home past the keeper from the edge of the 6 yard box to give Welton a two goal cushion.
The second goal knocked the stuffing out of the Anglers and Welton were rampant going forward with everyone getting involved in the neat passing interchanges that were again Anglers undoing ten minutes before half time.
Neat interplay down the right between Carter, Coupland and Simon Clifford pushed Welton forward. Clifford was upended just inside the Anglers half but the referee allowed play to continue as Sam Gordon had possession for Welton. Unconcerned about his stricken team mate Gordon instead of putting the ball out opted to send a beautiful cross field ball over the top of the right back into the path of a speeding Luke Clifford. Clifford controlled well and left his marker for dead to advance on the keeper, Clifford made no mistake blasting past the keeper for his first ever goal at Sincil Bank at the seventh time of asking.
Weltons defence were really on their game aswell and didn’t give the Anglers a sniff and Welton went in at half time with a comfortable 3 goal lead.
Half time Anglers Saxilby 0-3 Welton S&SC
Welton came back out determined not give their opponents any hint of a way back into the game and the second half began much the same as the first half ended. Plenty of neat interchanges and passing from Welton left the Anglers chasing shadows at times. Welton were creating chances with ease and a fourth goal was not long in coming as the Anglers pushed more and more men forward they were undone by a swift Welton counter attack.
A throw in down the right hand side was taken by Carter into the feet of James Drabble who was felled from behind by Anglers big number 5. Again the referee played a good advantage as Sam Gordon had kept possession for Welton. Gordon rolled the ball into Coupland who sent Simon Clifford racing through with a clever through ball. Clifford chipped the ball over the keeper the ball appeared to be drifting agonisingly wide but Luke Clifford hadn’t given up the chase and stooped to head home from a tight angle. Mass celebration ensued in front of the family stand but Will Carter and James Drabble shared a more intimate moment of celebration on the half way line where Drabble was still layed.
Chance after chance fell Weltons way but Weltons finishing let them down on numerous occasions most notably when Ross Taylor cleared the South Park stand with a right footed half volley much to the amusement of everyone in attendance.
Welton rang the changes bringing off Sam Gordon, Scott Coupland and Will Carter to be replaced by Bowey, Tom Wilkinson and Leigh Warman. Gordon, Coupland and Carter milked their ovations as they went off, Just reward for their outstanding seasons.
Anglers started throwing more and more men forward and for some reason the ref appeared to be getting behind them as well. So much so that he awarded the Anglers a very dubious penalty for an alleged push in the box by Joe Snookes. Anglers failed to take advantage of their gift as the right back who took the kick dragged his shot against Ossais right hand post and out to safety. Ossai was called into action shortly after this making two world class saves to keep a clean sheet in his final appearance for Welton.
Weltons supporters again marred the day as tension between them and Anglers fans threatened to boil over with Weltons fans aiming sickening abuse at the Anglers keeper calling him fat! Stewards had to step in on one occasion. The incident is thought to have not involved Weltons infamous Wilkinson transit elite group though.
Welton were still dangerous going the other way and the Welton forwards trickery and creativity was proving too much for the Anglers to take as they lost their heads and started flying into tackles. Tom Bowey was torturing the left back down the right and Luke Clifford was in fine form down the left. Cliffords pace was too much for the Anglers right back who decided the only way to stop Clifford was too lunge in with an x rated knee high tackle earning him a red card. Clifford dusted himself down though and almost completed his hat trick with a trademark thunderbolt from a ridiculous angle that had the keeper beaten all ends up but unfortunately for Weltons top scorer his strike hit the post.
All that was left now was for the ref to blow the final whistle and bring to an end a great day and indeed bring to an end a great season for Welton. Neil Stocks lifted the famous trophy and Big Al was finally able to get his hands on his treasured Kelly Read Cup. Another evening of chaos ensued at Social Park and in the bars of Lincoln City centre as Welton toasted the two shiny trophies sitting on the wall.
Full time Angler FC Saxilby 0-4 Welton S&SCFC
Carters crackers
Clifford L ***
Coupland**
Stocks*
Can we have you?
Craig Bridge was the only Angler that would get anywhere near Weltons side and having him would also bring the advantage of having sister Chloe in attendance at Social Park.
You’re not very good!
Difficult to single anyone out really as Welton were very good on the day.