Watson inspires Parkgate to win against former side Welfare

It was a returning Richard Watson who inspired his Parkgate teammates to a second half turn around against Armthorpe Welfare at Church Street this afternoon.

Watson returned to Church Street after signing for Parkgate two months after leaving for Welfare in the summer. The shot stopper struggled to make the number one shirt his own for Welfare and returned this afternoon to haunt his old side.

Welfare came into this Premiership clash after a hard fought, well earned point at Retford in mid week with Parkgate looking to double their win tally this season after a tough start.  

The opening ten minutes saw Welfare weathering a Parkgate storm of constant attacks, which saw a shot cannon off the underside of the crossbar but didn’t cross the line, an early warning sign for Brian Johnston’s men.

After the Parkgate storm had calmed Welfare started to find a way into the game through Jay Rollins and Steve Garner shots but there was keeper’ Watson on hand to keep the scoreline at 0-0.  

Just one minute after the half hour mark Welfare won a freekick just out the 18 yard area, Jonathan Mirfin struck the shot which cannoned off the wall and fell ino the feet of the returning striker Stuart Preston, who found himself in space to slot home into the corner to put Welly into the lead.

The half time break came and it was plainly obvious why Parkgate only had one win in fourteen matches coming into todays game. Welfare needed to switch on and kill the game off in the second half, but Parkgate came out firing.

Ten minutes after the restart a poor pass from Darren Mansaram found the feet of the Parkgate skipper who lofted a ball into Tom Brown who hit Armthorpe on the counter.

Brown took a shot and forced Biggs into a save, which rebounded into the path of his strike partner who slotted home into an empty net. 1-1.

Welfare had to respond and on 63 minutes, Welfare hit a long ball into striker Darren Mansaram who tussled with the Parkgate centre half and found himself with time on the ball to slot home to put Welfare back in front.

Parkgate shot stopper Watson, then proved what Welfare has lost with a string of saves from Rollins to keep his side in the contest.

Parkgate then won the ball in the middle of the park and went on the counter, and from 20 yards out unleashed a cannonball of a shot into the top right corner, nothing Biggs could do.

Parkgate saw all three points were for the taking and with five minutes left they took them. A corner was floated over to the back post and it was poked home to dismay of everyone involved with Welfare.

The full time whistle blew with Parkgate taking the spoils. A game of two half’s and a returning Richard Watson helped the Steelmen to a second win of the season.

Welfare need to regroup for Tuesday as Church Street hosts Long Eaton United in a lower half clash which see’s Welfare in much need of three points. 

Eccleshill United v Armthorpe Welfare - Match Report

Tonight has seen Armthorpe Welfare’s first defeat in 8 games at the hands of NCEL Division One side, Eccleshill United. Vice captain, David Buck, described the defeat as “gutting.” During his post match interview ‘Bucko’ said, ‘we didn’t turn up tonight up, our work rate was poor, our desire was the main problem. They had some good lads on the ball but if we compete like we have in the last six games then we should be winning matches like that tonight.’

Welfare made four changes for tonight’s first round tie at Eccleshill with, Jonathan Mirfin suspended and Brad Johnston, Jay Rollins and Captain Craig Morley rested from Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Staveley Miners Welfare which saw Welfare take six wins from eight games. Manager Brian Johnston wanted his side to carry on this form to see them into the second round of the competition.

The first half started slowly for Armthorpe as Eccleshill came out the blocks early and put pressure on Welfare from the kick off. The home side gave the Welfare management an early scare with a shot from inside the 18 yard area which was saved by keeper’ Will Biggs, and early wake up call. It took just 25 minutes for Eccleshill to break the deadlock with a sloppy goal to conceed on Welfare’s behalf. The ball was lost in the midfield and Marcus Edwards picked the ball up and ran in on goal, keeper Will Biggs saved the first shot but couldn’t stop the follow up which was neatly placed into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to the home side. Edwards’ 11^th goal of the campaign.

Armthorpe then looked to keep the ball and try get and a foot into the match but once again some sloppy posessional play on 32 minutes saw Eccleshill hit Welfare on the counter, the ball was neatly played out to the right hand side where it found the feet of United’s top goal scorer this season, Marcus Edwards, who ran in on goal and calmly placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner past a diving Will Biggs to make it 2-0 to the division one side.

Armthorpe orders were being barked out by centre half Richard Smith to rally the side in attempt to nick a goal back but then ten minutes before half time, once again, Welfare lost the ball in a crucial part of the field, the cross was put on a sixth pence at the feet of Marcus Edwards, who once again calmly struck the ball home to give them a comfortable 3-0 lead and secure his hat trick. Welfare then looked to strike back with a counter attack from Danny Taylor; the ball was played into the feet of Daniel Ferguson who shot was struck wide of the post, Welfare’s first attempt on goal. Seconds later the halftime whistle blew.

As the second 45 came, the rain started to get heavier and Armthorpe began to take the game to Eccleshill. Forcing the ball down the left hand flank with Captain David Buck but the final ball lacked the cutting edge to get past the Eccleshill shot stopper.

But then with 60 minutes on the clock Welfare won a free kick on the left hand side of the 18 yard area, the ball was whipped in and up rose striker Darren Mansaram, un marked, but the ball flew over the bar, chances were coming and going for Armthorpe. Then 15 minutes later a corner was won on the left hand side by David Buck, a cross was swung in by Boyde to be met by a rising Mansaram once again but this time he came even closer, but not close enough. The ball struck bar and bounced out of play. Eccleshill were now on the back foot and Welfare tails were up.

As Welfare were up field pushing for that goal they deserved, the ball was once again lost in a crucial part of the pitch, Eccleshill took the ball down the right hand side with Marcus Edwards at the helm, he struck a cross in to be met by a rising Austin Hart to head the ball home, the killer blow for Welfare who had worked extremely hard in the second half.

The full time whistle blew and the Welfare players walked off dejected and distraught after their heaviest defeat of the season. Eccleshill deserved their win tonight after the effort and desire they’ve shown at The Rapid Solicitors Stadium this evening. It gives the Welfare squad a chance to focus on the league campaign and also the FA Vase competition, where Armthorpe play Liversedge.

When asked tonight about how Armthorpe were going to react to this defeat with a league match against Barton Town Old Boys on Saturday, David Buck said, “We have to put it right on Saturday, and that’s the work rate. Hopefully we’ll have Craig Morley and Jay Rollins back for the game but we can’t use that as an excuse for tonight’s performance. We just have to go again.”

Manager Brian Johnston, must rally his troops and pick them up to get the right result on Saturday to keep the great league form they have as of late running, and keep climbing the NCEL Premiership.  

Eccleshill United v Armthorpe Welfare – West Ridings County Cup First Round Match Preview

This week see’s the return of the West Ridings County Cup and see’s Welfare travel to NCEL Division One side, Eccleshill United. There are only four rounds of the competition to reach the final, so in reality Welfare have an excellent of collecting some silverware this season.

September has been a fantastic month for Brian Johnston’s Welfare side, winning 6 out of 8 matches in all competitions. Wins over Basford United, Lincoln Moorlands Railway, Winterton Rangers and Staveley Miners Welafre see Welfare climb up the table to 12^th. Wins against AFC Liverpool and Glasshoughton Welfare see Armthorpe into the First Round of the FA Vase where they have an away tie against fellow Premier side, Liversidge.

The management of Johnston and Poppleton are taking Welfare to places they haven’t seen in many years. Its early days to be predicting a league finish but a mid table finish is certainly on the cards and the run of form of 6 wins in 8 matches must be carried into Wednesday’s cup game. Brian Johnston is getting the team to play his way and the results are starting to come along also. Goals are coming from all over the park this season with Jay Rollins scoring 6 from open play in September, adding to just one before the month started sees Rollins as Welfare’s top scorer this season with Midfielder Danny Taylor in second with 4, scoring one hat trick at Lincoln Moorlands. At the other end of the field Welfare’s defence are also starting to sure up and keeping teams at bay. The centre half pairings of Captain Craig Morley and Richard Smith are working together well, only conceding 5 in 8 games and keeping 3 clean sheets. Shot Stopper Will Biggs is also picking up plaudits making eye pleasing saves to see his clean sheet tally at 3 for the season, but with the way the back four are helping him out, there will be more to come from Biggs this season.  

Now onto the hosts, Eccleshill United have had a brilliant start to their season with two defeats in 11 games. United sit comfortably in Division one in second place five points behind runaway leaders Shaw Lane. Manager Mark Ellis has seen his side start the season with 25 points from 11 games and also seen his side into the first round of the FA Vase where they will play Premier Division side, Thackley. After three seasons in Division One, Eccleshill look to be one of the strongest sides in the league and also with Marcus Edwards the leagues third highest scorer, Eccleshill boast the power upfront to score goals. He’s the picked out danger man who will cause Welfare trouble throughout the game.

The Rapid Solicitors Stadium has only seen United goalless once this season and that was a 0-2 defeat against league leaders Shaw Lane. If Welfare want to be in the second round of the West Ridings Cup, the back of John Tunney, Craig Morley, Richard Smith and Steve Garner must be switched on and after only conceding 5 goals in the whole of September, Welfare aren’t going to go down without a fight on Wednesday evening.

If you can’t make it along to Eccleshill on Wednesday evening keep up to date with proceedings on Twitter, @thewelfare, where we will have match updates live from the ground for you and a match report will follow.  

Glasshoughton Welfare v Armthorpe Welfare - FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Match Report

After Welfare’s excellent victory over AFC Liverpool in the 1^st preliminary round they set up a tie with today’s opponents from the NCEL Premiership, Glasshoughton Welfare. With Armthorpe making the short trip down the M62, it was time for Brian Johnston’s side to carry on the brilliant form they’ve hit in the recent weeks.

Welfare set up in a 4-4-2 formation with a starting eleven that looked like this. William Biggs (GK), John Tunney, Craig Morley (C), Richard Smith, Steve Garner, Danny Taylor, Brad Johnston, Jonathan Mirfin, David Buck, Jay Rollins and Stuart Preston.

The tie started slowly and both sides took their time to assess each other and see how they could be broken down. Armthorpe did have an early chance through Jay Rollins but his shot was blasted well wide of the target. Glasshoughton then started to come at Welfare but with the strong back four Armthorpe have at their disposal both forwards in blue and white shirts found it tough to break through. Then on 18 minutes, what people in Football call route one, happened. Keeper’ Will Biggs with a goal kick hoofed the ball down field to Jay Rollins who tussled with the centre half to win the ball, he then found himself with a one on one chance which he dually took to put Welfare one up after 18 minutes.

Then from the kick off, Glasshoughton were caught in possession in their own half and Welfare took advantage of some sloppy play and there was Jay Rollins once again to slot it home to make it 2-0 after 19 minutes. Two goals in the space of one minute really took the stuffing out of Glasshoughton. Welfare then began to put pressure on Glasshoughton, pressing the play and forcing the midfield to give the ball away. Armthorpe then switched off and let Glasshoughton back into the game, but once again Craig Morley and Richard Smith were on hand the keep the score line at 2-0.

Then a massive blow and an add to Welfare’s growing injury list as Stuart Preston pulled up after running into the box. On came young Kieran Benson to replace him just as the half time whistle blew. Welfare went into the break dissevered leaders after a fantastic first half time display. 2-0.  

As the sun started to break through the clouds out come both sides to restart the game. And as it was expected Glasshoughton came out fighting and pushing for a goal to put the pressure on Armthorpe. Chances started to come for the home side but two world-class saves from William Biggs kept out Glasshoughton and this started to frustrate the hosts. Welfare were staying switched on to keep Glasshoughton out, but then, Welfare gave away a silly freekick in a dangerous position on the right hand side. The ball was put into a horrid area, Keeper’ Will Biggs came for the ball, flapped at it but it was met by the head of Joel Freestone to make it 2-1 with 14 minutes left to play.

Welfare had to respond, and respond they did. Four minutes after Glasshoughton halved Armthorpe’s lead, a run down the left hand side from David Buck allowed him to get across into the box and the head of Kieran Benson met it to put Welfare 3-1 up and restore their two-goal advantage. Welfare looked comfortable after that. Glasshoughton heads were down, under pressure, they knew nothing they could do would be good enough. Welfare were just too good for the home side.

And then, when Glasshoughton thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. The ball was in the 18 yard area, both defender and keeper came out to collect it, they both clashed and there was Jay Rollins to pick the ball up and slot it into and empty net. Welfare 4-1 up with 10 minutes left to play and Rollins had his hat trick. Well earned after the shift he put in today. Welfare then saw the game out by holding the ball up in the corners and running the clock down.

A great performance saw Welfare come out on top and keep the great run of form going, 5 wins from 6 matches in all competitions. Brian’s men will now head into the first round draw on Monday morning with an away tie in the balance. Stay tuned to our twitter page to find out our fate for the draw, which will take place at 11am.

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!

Armthorpe Welfare v Runcorn Town - Pre Season Friendly

A warm, sunny day at Church Street and today’s entertainment was in the shape of Welfare V Runcorn Town of the North West Counties Premier Division. Welfare were looking to bounce back from Tuesday nights nightmare with a strong performance in front of the home crowd.

Welfare set up once again with the favoured 4-2-3-1 formation and the home side started with high intensity, giving nothing away and passing the ball around with ease. After ten minutes Runcorn hadn’t had any possession, then 5 minutes later the ball was picked up in the middle of the park by Jay Rollins, he then saw a flying run from young Kieran Benson down the left side, a pitch perfect pass into the forwards feet allowed him to have a shot on goal from 20 yards which riffled into the top corner, 1-0 Welfare after 15 minutes. A dream start for manager Brian Johnston.

Five minutes later, Welfare went on the attack again down the left hand side. A jinking run was brought down by a Runcorn defender, up stepped Brad Johnston from 20 yards out. The was ball struck tamely, it took a deflection off the wall which took it past Town’s ‘keeper into the bottom corner. 2-0 Welfare after 20 minutes. Church Street felt the optimism with the season rapidly closing in.  

With a two goal lead Welfare went on the defensive and started to play keep ball and played a good brand of passing football. Defensively Welfare looked strong, Craig Morley replaced regular centre half Richard Smith for today’s game and nothing got past him all half, Welfare’s back four looking unbeatable at times.

The referee blew the half time whistle and Welfare went into the break deserving of their two goal lead. Stand out performers were Kieran Benson and Craig Morley.

The whistle blew for the second half to begin and straightaway Welfare were on the back foot, Runcorn not giving Welfare a sniff of possession. Welfare manager, Brian Johnston gave new keeper Richard Watson a run out in the second forty five minutes and what an inspired change it proved to be. Three saves in the space of five minutes kept Welfare’s lead to two. But his luck was bound to run out at some point, then 12 minutes into the half, the ball was picked up in the middle of the park after some sloppy defending from Welfare, it was struck with real venom from 30 yards out, nothing that the ‘keeper do could about it and the ball found itself nestling in the top corner. 2-1 after 52 minutes. Welfare needed to pick up the intensity if they wanted to keep their lead.  

Eight minutes later Welfare conceded another from once again some sloppy defending. From a dead ball situation it took a deflection, and then a goalmouth scramble accrued with the ball being turned in from five yards. 2-2, Runcorn draw level after a poor start to the second half from Welfare.  

What then was foreseen at Church Street wasn’t a shock to the viewing public, the ball was played into the box, out came ‘keeper Richard Watson, he fumbled the ball down and it landed at Runcorn forward’s foot, who then turned the ball into the net to make it 3-2 to Runcorn.

That was the last of the action in the game the contest petered out as both sides became tired and run out of steam. The full time whistle blew and Welfare felt the game slipped out of their hands, loosing a two goal lead and letting slip the high intensity cost Johnston and his men dearly today. A game of two half’s is an understatement.

Welfare haven’t got long to regroup and recover, a trip to Appleby Froderingham mid week see’s Welfare half way through their pre season campaign. With the season only 2 weeks away now, something has to give for Johnston’s men and hopefully Tuesday night is the point where it all changes.