Welton S&SC ticked another game off the list as they look to set up an end of season showdown with FSC Victory by beating CW Golden Eagle 5-1 at Social Park last night. Scott Coupland scored twice and further strikes by Craig Cosgrove, Billy Munro and Matt O Halloran ensured that Welton no longer need to be thinking about goal difference if they can get the points required against Hykeham and Jerusalem.
Phil McGann returned in goal for the Socialites behind a back four of Will Carter, Jamie Chesman, Joe Snookes and Jack McGovern who replaced Leigh Warman who wasn’t risked from the start. The rest of the starting eleven remained the same from the last two outings with Billy Munro once again starting up top with Scott Coupland.
With time and more importantly light a big issue hours of miss spent youth for Will Carter finally paid off as he scaled the locked steel cage to get the goals out and the game was able to kick off slightly earlier than planned.
Despite a bright start by Welton, Golden Eagle clawed their way back into the game and created the first real chance when their centre forward found acres of space to latch onto a through ball but he was thwarted by master of deception Phil McGann who in Fabien Barthez style stuck his hand up in the air and asked for the ball back for off side before smothering the ball at the feet of the dumbstruck forward.
This kick started Welton again and they soon broke the deadlock, a neat passing move from back to front saw Neil Stocks popping up down the right hand side to float a cross to the back post to Craig Cosgrove who finished well with his left foot to give Welton the lead.
The Socialites proceeded to dominate possession but the pace was a little lethargic as they moved the ball around well at the back and into midfield without ever finding to much cutting edge to get the ball into the front men.
It was Welton who scored the second goal of the game though when Matt O Halloran drilled a free kick into the Eagle penalty area, such was the importance of the game Joe Snookes even went up for the free kick, Snookes was beaten to the ball by Jamie Chesman though who sent a header back towards the far post to Scott Coupland who bundled home from a couple of yards out.
With the game creeping closer to half time the Socialites were pegged back though by a stunning strike by Eagle. Some neat one touch play down their left hand side lead to the ball being chipped up to a midfielder on the edge of the area who smashed home a volley in off the underside of the bar to half the deficit on the stroke of half time.
HALF TIME: Welton S&SC 2-1 CW Golden Eagle
No changes were made at the start of the second half and with referee Daz Wallhead aiming to play 35 minutes in the second half due to light, Welton could ill afford a sloppy start to the second half.
Buoyed by their goal just before half time Eagle started brightly and put Welton under pressure at the start of the second period but the Welton defence were able to deal with the threat relatively easily.
Much of Welton’s football was played at a frustratingly slow pace but they still created the better chances and Sam Allmond contrived to miss a superb chance to give Welton a two goal cushion when he hit the post from a square ball by Scott Coupland.
Fortunately Welton’s nerves were settled 5 minutes later when Scott Coupland latched onto a through ball and coolly slotted home past the keeper to make it 3-1 to Welton.
Craig Cosgrove was suffering from a first half knock and the Welton management reluctantly replaced him with Leigh Warman who slotted in at centre back pushing Jack McGovern into midfield.
The two goal cushion settled Welton down and with the clock ticking away and the light fading Welton’s thoughts turned to goals and a superb left footed strike from Billy Munro made it 4-1 with a fierce strike from the left hand edge of the penalty area.
Munro turned provider minutes later when he played the ball to Matt O Halloran who appeared to have absolutely no interest in receiving the ball as he had just called to be taken off, despite this O Halloran controlled with his first touch, chipped the ball up with his second touch and crashed home a stunning volley into the top corner from 25 yards out, Muted celebrations from O Halloran as he made his way to the sidelines to be replaced by the returning Luke Clifford.
Job Done for Welton who now face two awkward must win games against AFC Hykeham and FVA Jerusalem, At least Welton will have 90 minutes to try and break down Hykeham this Sunday.
FULL TIME: Welton S&SC 5-1 CW Golden Eagle