Report

Centralians and Kellingley Welfare played out a six goal thriller at West Park, with the home side adopting a 'Liverpool 1996' style 3-5-2 formation.  Dave Watkinson was transformed into an old fashioned libero as he swept up behind Sowden and Kerr, whilst Timmy Ryan and Aaron Rothery took the roles of Jason McAteer and Stig Bjornebye in the wing back roles.
With the Kells keeper making a series of very good saves throughout the game Cents will be more disappointed with the draw than their opponents.  However, at the end of the 90 minutes a draw was a fitting result for a well contested match.  It was Old Cents who struck first on the fifteen minute mark.  Mike Rawson with a sharp finish from ten yards.  With his side on top John Malkinson led the line superbly and was unlucky not to increase the lead.  First he had a shot deflected onto the bar by the in form keeper and then only a magnificent last ditch tackle denied him doubling the advantage. 
At this point in the match it was difficult to see anything other than a Centralians victory but two Welfare goals either side of half time turned the tables.  The second was an excellent turn and shot passed the rooted Taylor.  Despite results been less than satisfactory recently the famous West Park fighting spirit was in evidence as Centralians retorted with a wave of pressure.  The rewards were two goals in as many minutes.  The first was a Phil Allison cross shot that angled between the keeper and the near post and the second was classic captains goal from Chris Ward who threw his head in to a melee to bundle home Cents third.  The nature of the contest ensured the lead was not held for long.  A pin point header from a Kells counter attack made the score 3 - 3 and set up twenty minutes of winner takes all football.  Rawson could have sealed the 3 points for the home side but ran out of space after getting a sight of the keeper whilst Kellingley, with the last attack of the game, were thwarted by Ian Talyor when clean through on goal.
An excellent game of football between the sides for the second time in a month.