A warm summers night,
a perfect night for Armthopre Welfare to kick off their pre season campaign
against unknown Sunday league opposition in the form of, Athletico Tap. This is
manager Brian Johnston’s first look at his players in full match action.
Welfare set up the
first half with a 4-2-3-1 formation, hopefully a sight fans will see more
often, straight away from the kick off Welfare started brightly and attacked
Athletico’s defence, with balls from the left and right causing horrors to the
red and white’s defence. Slow and steady build up play was the order of the day
from Armthorpe as they made their way forward once again. Then on 12 minutes a
cross came in from the left into the uncertain area for centre half’s and the
keeper which led to Welfare’s first goal, a goal mouth scramble followed, the
ball popped up and was then nodded in to put Welfare one up in the contest. 1-0
Welfare after 12 minutes
Welly started to find
their feet in the game, not letting Tap have any possession. Every man in a
blue shirt looking comfortable on the ball, not making any silly errors. Once
again Welfare make the most of the possession they have, a quick one two in the
18 yard area gave Welfare the opportunity to double their lead, which they
dually took, a toe poke past Tap’s keeper into the bottom left corner. 2-0
Welfare after 22 minutes.
Athletico then started
to get a foothold into the match, moving forward with some fluidity. But a
rigid Welfare defence, lead by Welly legend, Richard Smith cut out every attack
with much ease. Then on 37 minutes, Tap played a ball to the left, which found
their galloping full back, who took a touch inside the 18-yard area and hit a
low shot past Will Biggs in the Welfare goal. 2-1, 37 minutes played.
Three minutes later,
Welfare then went on the attack, a shot from 20 yards out, was flicked in by
Welfare’s forward but found its self chalked off due to a dubious offside call
from the linesman. Welfare had responded well to the conceded goal. The referee
then called half time with Welfare heading into the break at 2-1 up.
The second half got
under way and straight away Welfare broke, the ball was held up outside the
18-yard box and it was struck with real venom into the top right corner, only
to be met with the woodwork. Then Tap broke away, a cross came in from the
right and another goalmouth scramble developed and Tap hit the bar twice! Both
sides unlucky in the minute of madness.
Welfare then increased
their one goal advantage to two, through a well worked goal from the right hand
side. From then on in both sides started to tire, with silly mistakes creeping
in.
Full time blew and
Welfare came out deserved winners from what was a winnable game. Pay Athletico
Tap their due’s they came and gave it good crack of the whip, but in the end
Welfare were just too strong.
With the start of the season
just three weeks away, Armthorpe look in a good position to be fighting for a
mid table finish. Johnston’s men look in good physical shape and seem to be
moulding together like a topside should. But time will tell as to how this new
look Welfare side will fair in the NCEL Premiership this season. The next test
in pre season for Brian and his side will be on Saturday against Marske United
at Church Street.
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