Three excellent performances but only one point to show for it so far for OWHC 1sts this season. What could we get from an away fixture against Bloxwich 2s, who were fresh off the back of a big win at Stone.
It wasn't looking like much. With Darryl, Dave, and Jack injured or away, we were left with only Jake as a recognisable defender available for selection. Adam and Andy stepped in to defence as we reverted to the 3-5-2 formation from last season...one we struggled with in our warm-up games.
So far, so foreboding.
Our habitual challenge of getting more than 12 players fit and available meant it was going to be a hard afternoon - made harder by a last minute dropout from illness. We've dropped points in the later stages of the first games due to running out of legs - was it going to be another painful result?
Old Wulfs started brightly. Knowing we had to keep the ball and start our defending high up the pitch, we put pressure on Bloxwich from the off, forcing errors and getting under their skin. Debutant Malachi slotted right in, and Will playing in an unfamiliar ACM role looked assured. Our playmakers Archie and Sam dominated the midfield, and the pressure began to pay off. The front men Joe and Gareth were causing havoc in their defence, with Si and Malachi supporting from the wings.
After a few close efforts, we got the breakthrough when Si got on the end of a ball across the D.
We continued to dominate the first half, playing great hockey, recycling the ball and drawing important saves from the Bloxwich keeper. The defence contained their threat, and everyone was working hard to prevent Bloxwich from having any decent possession. In attack we were lively, and 'skinning of the game' goes to Jake for leaving their LB wondering where he was and how he got there.
Just before halftime, we got the reward for our efforts. Winning our first PC, Gareth fed the ball to Adam who made no mistakes with the shot. Taking a two goal lead into the break was just the lift we needed for tired bodies.
We knew the second half was going to be tough. The intensity levels would be punishing, and we'd be facing fresher legs. However, Old Wulfs again started the brighter of the two teams, and created some excellent openings. However, the fatigue began to show, and we couldn't make them count.
Inevitably, Old Wulfs lost a bit of their shape as the half wore on, and Bloxwich applied more pressure, albeit largely from counter-attacks rather than well worked plays. Colin had to make a couple of saves, and Andy cleared one off the line, but eventually Bloxwich bundled in a goal. Things got a bit heated when one of their youngsters wanted the ball taken back to the halfway line more quickly - probably been watching too much football!
It was a nervy final quarter, with chances at both ends, but Old Wulfs held on for their first win of the campaign.
Another superb performance from the whole team. Everyone worked for eachother, we kept the ball well, we created space with good movement and we didn't panic in possession or out of it. We had really solid performances all over the pitch, and didn't look like a team with men playing out of place. Contributing at both ends of the pitch, Adam was voted MOTM.
After the break it's local rivals Finchfield, and we can take a lot of confidence from the win into that match.
We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
