Armthorpe Welfare v Ossett Albion - Match Report

Church Street hosted Welfare’s final pre season friendly today before the season starts next Saturday. Our opponents were in the shape of Ossett Albion of the Evo Stik Premier Division. After Welfare’s performance on Thursday night, the management were expecting more of the same today.

Three changes in the Welfare side for this afternoon’s match, Steve Garner replaced David Buck at left back, Brad Johnston was left out, as was Darren Mansaram.

Welfare started the contest setting up in a 4-4-2 formation, just as the same from Thursday’s night victory over Wakefield. Welfare started the brighter, chances for both sides came but both couldn’t finish it in the final third. Welfare then started to grab a hold of the game; a chance for striker Jay Rollins was seen into the keeper’s hands.

Then on 28 minutes, a flowing move down the right hand side with Rollins jinking inside past the full back, the ball was dragged back just outside the 18 yard area and was met with a right foot from Kieron Benson, a low hard shot into the bottom left hand corner. An excellent passing move that warranted a goal, 1-0 Welfare after 20 minutes.

Half time came and Welfare went into the break a goal up, after some great passing moves and some well worked movement. Welfare seemed to have grown and blended as a side over this pre season and it now seen on the field.

As the referee blew his whistle for the start of the second half, Armthorpe started brightly once again and after 6 minutes Welfare scored their second. A long ball out the right from goalkeeper Richard Watson found the right winger, the ball was picked up by Tony Hattersly, and his shot was flicked past Ossett’s shot stopper to put Welfare 2-0 up after 51 minutes.

Welfare started to keep the possession and make Ossett work hard. The side have started to gel together and work hard for each other during the recent weeks; something that hasn’t been seen at Church Street for a long time. Welfare started to keep Ossett at bay, giving them no sight of the ball, working hard to win the ball when they do slip up and give the ball away.

10 minutes from full time substitute David Buck picked the ball up in the middle of the park, his head came up straight away and saw an unmarked Adam Baskerville on the left hand side who took the ball down with his left foot, jinked inside the full back and slotted his shot past the keeper into the right hand corner, a brilliant finish from the young man. 3-0 after 83 minutes.

Welfare then saw the game out with ease and the full time whistle was blown. Armthorpe come out the other side deserved winners after controlling the game, giving nothing to Ossett. The management seem a lot happier with the lads now the season is only one week away. Brian has built his squad and now see’s the club ready to take the league on.

The season starts next Saturday away at Athersly Recreation, the manager and players seem confident of a good result next week. The principals set are gelling with the players and its all paying off, I can’t see why not if the lads keep this high tempo up that we can’t aim for promotion. Welfare’s first home game of the new season is Tuesday 13^th of August against Nostell Miners Welfare; get down to Church Street to cheer the lads on. 

Armthorpe Welfare v Wakefield FC - Pre Season Friendly

Church Street was bathed in sunshine this evening for Armthorpe Welfare’s penultimate pre season friendly against Evo Stik Northern Premier side, Wakefield FC. A south Yorkshire clash for Brian Johnston’s men tonight. With Tuesday’s night game called off, this gave time for the squad to rest and recuperate and give it their all tonight.

Welfare set up in a new formation this evening of, 4-4-2, a different sight for fans but it was a masterstroke from manager Brian Johnston. Welfare started to squeeze the play a lot more and keep the possession. Chances came for Welfare because of this, on 12 minutes a shot from 20 yards was judged to hit a Wakefield arm in the box and the man in the middle gave Welfare a penalty. Up stepped Welfare’s left-winger, he hit a low shot down to the left corner but it was saved by the keeper.

Welfare then had another chance on 20 minutes. The ball broke down the middle, confusion between Wakefield’s back four and keeper, let Jay Rollins in to slip it into a open goal but on his weaker left foot he dragged his shot wide. Welfare starting to break down Wakefield with ease.

Slow build up play was on the agenda for Welfare tonight, Brad Johnston sat infront of the back four all night and soaked up any attack Wakefield created. The back four seemed to gel and work as a team. The whole side looked a brand new one after the recent friendly’s, Welfare started to play the ball around with ease, each pass finding feet.

The referee blew for half time and Welfare went into the break unlucky to still be level with the opposition. Only one change was made at half time by the management, keeper Richard Watson swapped with young shot stopper Will Biggs.

Welfare started the second half with real intent, keeping possession and make Wakefield work hard to win the ball back. In the recent few games Welfare lost their concentration and gave leads away and came out with a defeat on their hands when the final whistle blew, but today was a different story. Every man stepped upto the plate and carried out their duties with minimal fuss.

Half an hour into the second half Welfare started to make things happen. Then one minute later Welfare won a corner over on the right hand side, it was taken short, the ball was floated into the 18 yard area, the ball was met with a strong header, it cannoned off the post but David ‘Bucho’ Buck was there to slot it home. 1-0 Welfare after 76 minutes.

Welfare then went on the keep ball, and passed it around the back four and midfield. Armthorpe looking so much more comfortable on the ball than previous matches.

The final whistle blew and Welfare came out more than deserved winners. At times it was a joy to watch and report on, this type of football is something that the management have longed for all pre season and finally it all clicked together tonight. With the season only one week away, the fortunes of Armthorpe Welfare seem to be changing, and what a good time for it happen!