1st Team vs Sutton Coldfield 3

A wet and windy encounter that was as much an away fixture for Sutton 3s as for Old Wulfs, with pitch available meaning we were not at their usual ground. Old Wulfs capitalised on this by making a great start, with quick passing, incisive movement and creating a couple of good chances early on.

However, Sutton pressed up and counter attacked week, eventually winging a PC. Up stepped an aerial specialist, and made it 1-0, sending Colin the wrong direction, and taking s deflection off Daz. But, Colin got his number, and it was the last drag-flick scored in the game.

It was end to end stuff for the rest of the half, with a lot of traffic coming out way. A slightly dead pitch did for our passing sometimes, but 1-0 down at half time and we were in the game and capable of getting singing from it.

A poor start to the second half put paid to that. We were overrun in midfield at times, with fast, and some sublimely skillful, play from Sutton. A 10min period saw Sutton score two more, and begin to take control. However, Old Wulfs don't give up easily, and Sam soon pulled on back.

Fatigue and defensive frailty (or over committing forward) reared it head again, and Sutton score two more in quick succession. This seemed to galvanise Old Wulfs and we pressed hard to get something more from the game. We returned to fast passing and good movement in the channels, and created opportunities...but could convert them. With a few minutes to go, Daz played a sumptuous pass, picking out Sam in acres of space in the attacking third. He took on the 1-on-1 with the centre-back, and bore down on the keeper, rounding him and scoring from an acute angle.

It was some consolation, but not enough to change the final outcome. We played some good hockey today, and kept our discipline, in contrast to the various cardings for Sutton. Some excellent performances from Sam, Archie and Daz, but for the second time in a row we owe the final score to Colin for heroics between the sticks, including some great stops at PCs and close range. A well deserved MOTM.