Competition: NSL Senior Division
Scorers:-
Welfare: Fisher (6, 77, 80), Lench (26), Wilmot (38)
Beeston: Cook (46)
This wasn't a planned visit to the Stag - just one of those last minute decisions that you hope you get right!!
We've not seen Welfare play at the Stag before - this was previously the home of the now defunct Kimberley Town. The old ground is currently undergoing improvements - the club hope to be a part of the East Midland Counties League next season, so a lot of work has to be done for them to achieve the grading.
Beeston were without 6 first team regulars for one reason or another - the game against their hosts looked tough on paper, but with a weakened team, it became mission impossible.
Welfare were without injured keeper Mat Walsh, but the performance from reserves keeper Dan Turner, especially in the first half, was superb.
Teams:
Welfare - Daniel Turner, Joe Staley, Ian Shepherd, Danny Chaplin, Tobias Richardson, Shaw Hutchinson, Red Wilmot, Josh Stevenson, Jake Fisher, Martin Lench, Scott Carlile. Subs: Elliott Roulstone, Leon Roberts, Matt Barrett, Liam Baker.
AFC - Luke Gibbons, James Hunter, Craig Howkins, Jordan Hunter, Kieran Gibbons, Ben Cheatle, Jason Jude, James McHale, Jake Samuel, Alex Ford, Alex Cook. Subs: Tom Richardson, Richard Bishop, Luke Heselton.
Thanks go to the always helpful Danny Staley for the line-ups
JAKE FISHER scored the games opening goal in the 6th minute, stabbing in from a prone position after he had won the ball in a challenge with Beeston keeper Luke Gibbons.
Kimberley keeper Dan Turner made a cracking double save on 16 to keep out Alex Wood, the first stop was at point blank range and only the young man's superb reflexes kept the home teams lead intact.
MARTIN LENCH created the first goal for Fisher, but was on the scoresheet himself with 22 minutes played. Man of the match Josh Stevenson fired a superb 40 yard cross field pass straight to Lench who controlled well with his first touch and buried the ball with his second.
Turner was called into action once again on the half hour mark. A corner from the left was met by a wonderful diving header from Cook, but the young stopper pulled off a wonder save to foil the visiting no. 11 yet again.
The third Kimberley goal came with 7 minutes of the first half remaining, RED WILMOT taking his time and beating two defenders before firing past Gibbons. H-T 3-0
Beeston reduce their arrears within 60 seconds of the restart, Ben Cheatle stroking the ball into the feet of ALEX COOK whose sweet strike from the edge of the box gave Turner no chance.
Welfare Manager George Hulley was in a bit of a ruck on Wednesday at Hucknall Rolls, and the Scot found himslef in trouble again when he had a bit of a set to with Jake Samuels. Samuels was booked by Referee David Southern, whilst Hulley was asked to leave the technical area.
Kimberley made the point safe on 77, JAKE FISHER on hand to tap in Stevenson's super ball across the face of goal. The striker completed his personal treble three minutes later, stepping around Kieran Gibbons before rounding Luke Gibbons and slotting home. F-T 5-1
Fisher rounds off the scoring
Admission: £0
Head count: 44
MOM: Josh Stevenson - the former Barrow Town man by far the best player on the pitch. Daniel Turner was in the running, but his solid back line meant he had little to do in the second half.
Josh Stevenson
Daniel Turner
This win takes Welfare to the top of the table, after previous leaders Hucknall Rolls were held to a goal-less draw at Ruddington. Click here for table.
