Armthorpe Welfare 0-3 Winterton Rangers
Josh O’Neill in action for Armthorpe Welfare against Winterton Rangers. Picture: Steve Pennock
Armthorpe Welfare were beaten by three goals in the final eight minutes in the hastily-arranged friendly with Winterton Rangers.
Manager Mike Carmody effectively played a completely different side in each half with only goalkeeper Adam Stevens playing the full ninety minutes whilst Danny Taylor played an hour before being replaced by Will Ramsay who returned after playing the first half.
Liam Radford had a great chance to put Welfare ahead on 29 minutes but he lifted the ball over the bar from 8 yards after a cross-cum-shot from Chris Gowen fell into his path. Winterton went close shortly afterwards but Ramsay then saw his 22 yard shot fly inches wide of the right hand post.
The second half Welfare side went close through a header from Jordan Emery on 51 minutes and two minutes later Stuart Preston shot straight at the goalkeeper from 18 yards as Welfare controlled the play with Stevens a virtual spectator.
A great cross from Sam Cable on the right set up Preston to lash a fierce first time 15 yard volley just over the bar on 78 minutes but it all went wrong for Welfare five minutes later. The Welfare defence failed to clear their lines leaving Harry Speck in space inside the box to beat Stevens from close range.
Within three minutes the Welfare defence went to sleep again with Stevens saving well from Elliott Broughton but he was helpless as Broughton followed up to score the rebound.
In the final minute Winterton added a third when Joel Shortland fired an angled shot past Stevens from the left of the box.
The Team
Armthorpe Welfare (first half): Stevens, Taylor, Lumley, Garner, Gowen, Ramsay, Dodd, Johnston, Collier, Radford, Bowkett.
Welfare (second half): Stevens, Taylor (Ramsay 60), Gibbons, Morley, Simpkins, Brook, O’Neill, Emery, Preston, Cable, King.