1st Team Vs Wednesbury (F)

A game against our divisional rivals should give us an idea of how life will be back in this league.

Lacking Ward (sabbatical) Taylor (skittles) Maan (waiting for a glorious debut) and Tutton (sent to star in the 2s) gave a chance to Dave Cartwright and Ed Hole. Tough competition for places this season meant everyone worked hard in the baking heat. The new pitch was sticky and dry but still bouncy, and Wednesbury coped with this better in the early stages, as Wulfs attempted to adapt to a new formation.

The visitors took the lead from a penalty stroke after Lally subtly flattened a Wednesbury forward about to shoot.

By half-time it was 0-2 and Wednesbury had dominated. But Wulfs had a secret weapon in Thorpe on the sideline, and the bearded one delivered a pointed half time team talk, readjusting the side back to the usual 4-4-2.

The team played with a great deal more confidence in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals. The first followed great work from Jandu how found Ashworth, who was fouled for a stroke which Ablard buried. Birch scored twice including a half-volley into the roof of the goal, and Wilson smashed a trademark reverse stick shot low into the corner.

Wulfs should have held onto victory from there, but fatigue on this hot day came into play, and two goals from Wednesbury levelled it again.

Good progress towards the start of the league with one more friendly to play.