Wednesday night saw the Lions go to League Leaders FC Bolsover who on the back of 15 un defeated were going to be the toughest test to date for the new look Lions.
Welbeck on their own unbeaten streak of 2 had a new found confidence and were buzzing going into the game.
Performances, attitudes and belief had improved throughout the club over recent months and that was showing on the pitch as Welbeck defended well and kept FC having to work to break them down.
Half time they went in 2-0 down which wasnt really a true reflection based on the efforts of the Lions who grafted and deserved more.
An early mistake , possesion lost cheaply , saw FC take advantage and go 3 up.
Although Welbeck were now deflated the lads kept fighting but lost talisman skipper Shane Burton through injury which broke the solid partnership in the middle with Richie Matthews and the game changed. Although new signing Brad Rains did step up to the plate the game looked out of reach by now.
5-0 down with minutes to go and Assistant player manager Ash Barber man handled a FC player in the box for a penalty to make it 6-0 and thats how it ended.
'Proud of the level of commitment the lads have shown. We had a few issues with shape and discpline in keeping it together but overall we can walk away despite conceding 6 with our heads high knowing we are moving in the right direction.
The new faces have come in and are proving they are better than expected. Shane Burton the skipper and Richie Matthews have made the middle solid now. Matt Bradwell has added confidence at the back being a big prescence in goal. Bradley Rains has shown he can play in the back line or in the middle.
Dan Murdock and James Stone have gone from strength to strength and looking steonger every game.
Young Chris Rant is a definate prospect going forward, still young and a little naive but learning each game the right way.Also the rest of the lads are benefitting from having better players around them.
All moves in the right direction which will hopefully make us a little more attractive for potential investors to realise we have something to work with.
No game for 2 weeks so reflecting on last few weeks, planning pre season are on our agenda.
Cant wait for the next game to come along."
Squad
Matt Bradwell
Ben Townsend
James Stone
Richie Matthews
Brad Rains
Ash Barber
Jerome Slew
Shane Burton captain
Aaron Draper
James Whitfield
Taylor Askham

Chris Rant
Harry Brown
Aidan McTighe
Dean Issacs

FC Bolsover match report