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!
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