1st Team vs Stone

Newly promoted, missing key regulars from last season, and coming of the back of a heavy defeat in the preseason friendly, Old Wulfs 1st XI went to Stone unsure what we would get from the game against their 2nd XI, newly relegated from Midlands West 5.

Stone started brightly, and dominated the early exchanges, but after some initial nerves, Old Wulfs settled and started to gain the upper hand. A couple of good attacking chances came and went, when an injury to Rob meant we were down to a bare 11, with Minty slotting in to defence. However, great movement and passing saw Joe in the D with a shooting opportunity - one nil.

We looked the better team for much of the rest of the first half. It was clear that the hard work at training was paying off, with Dan and Joe causing all sorts of trouble for the Stone defence, and Si and Will getting in some great positions. A penalty corner saw Stone pull it back to 1-1, and so it remains until half time, with both keepers making important saves.

The second half started briskly, and Joe bagged himself a second. A great run from the left, leaving defenders in his wake, before drawing the keeper to the dive and giving it a select scoop into the net. A great solo effort, made possible by the movement of the ball to him and the players around. Old Wulfs were looking the better team, when a bad knock to the head of of one of the Stone players saw a lengthy pause. Fortunately he walked off the pitch under his own steam.

A couple minutes later and we had another stoppage, as Minty wore one on the chin. After the restart the game became a little more ragged with both teams looking for a win. Stone had a series of penalty corners, drawing a great save from Colin, tipping a flick over the bar...and I to the carpark and the bonnet of a car. Rookie error parking behind the goal! Eventually the pressure told and Stone scored from a PC with an obviously rehearsed move to even things up.

Had it stayed that way, if would have been a fair reflection of the game. It was gutting, therefore, to let in a third with ten to go. Nevertheless, heads didn't drop a d we believed to the end that we could get another, but it was not to be. A few different bobbles in the D or an inch or two sharper on some shits would have made the difference.

All round, and excellent performance. The team stepped up a d showed that, yes, we belong in the league and can go toe to toe with teams of this quality. Some brilliant performances, and endurance from the front men with no rotation. Dan was hungry for the ball and caused problems all day, with Sam brilliant in a deeper midfield role than usual. However, it was Joe who pipped them both for MOTM, and we'll deserved.

While not the result we wanted, a performance we can be proud of and build on for the season ahead.