Armthorpe Welfare FC

Armthorpe Welfare, who were the lowest ranked side remaining in the West Riding County Cup were knocked out at the quarter final stage at the hands of Bradford Park Avenue.

The end result was harsh on the players who battled hard and more than matched the Evo-Stik Premier Division outfit for much of the game.

Welfare started well and unsettled the home team, who struggled to cope with high balls into the box. And it only took 8 minutes for the visitors to take advantage. Craig Morley launched a long throw into the 18 yard box which was flicked on by Sam Colbear into the path of the unmarked Craig Wilkinson who obliged with a little flick of his boot to put the ball in the net.

A shock maybe, but well deserved. Welfare continued to eliminate any danger, frustrating their opponents all over the pitch with some excellent hard work.

Yet they were pegged back at a terrible time when Curtis Bernard, who has previously scored a hat-trick against Welfare for Scarborough Athletic, was gifted a goal. Jamie Green was at full stretch and saved down low to his left, but could only parry the ball. Bernard was the fastest to react to grab the goal in first half injury time.

The momentum swung in favour of Bradford PA, and they took full advantage, taking the lead on the 57th minute with a simple header. Bradford where then awarded a penalty just after the hour mark when Liam Gaughan was adjudged to have tripped in the box. But Green guessed right and saved down low to his left.

Welfare were by no means out of the game, and continued to defend magnificently. Chances were few and far between and Avenue kept coming at Welfare until they got the breakthrough they wanted, albeit with the assistance of the officials, with only 7 minutes to play.

Manager Des Bennett, who had been drafted in at right back made an excellent challenge just inside the Bradford half with the ball clearly deflecting off the Bradford player and going out for a throw on the halfway line.

The assistant referee wrongly awarded the throw in to Bradford, who took it quickly and broke down the left wing with Bennett now out of position. Tom Greaves came inside slightly and struck the ball from 18 yards into the net.

Despite the score, Welfare can be pleased with the result and their effort. With only 11 players available for the game it was always going to be tough. Had more players been available, we would almost certainly have been in with a shout of a place in the semi final.

Welfare now turn their attention back to the NCEL. They are scheduled to play at Pickering Town on Saturday, but with such a cold forecast, we are expecting a pitch inspection to be arranged. News of any planned inspection, and the outcome will be posted on our Twitter feed first (@thewelfare) and on this website soon after.

Welfare's next home game is next Tuesday night (7th Feb 7:45pm) against local rivals Parkgate FC