4th Team Vs Finchfield 4

Old Wulfs 4this travelled to local rivals Finchfield winless this season. Their rivals however sat third in the table at the start of the day.

However the Wulfs arrived with belief that they could give the Finches a challenge. The game plan was simple, stifle the opposition in the centre of the park and stretch them on the break.

The game started well for Wulfs with the best passage of attack that the fourths have carried out all season. Cooper Jr threw an aerial half the length of the pitch, Lally chased it into the D, just as the ball was about to cross the backline and out Lally hit a blind pass behind to the oncoming Sahib who swept the ball home with a first time shot. Wulfs almost doubled the lead with good wide play from Pearson finding Lally in the D his cross finding O'Sullivan who pushed his shot just wide.

Finches grew into the game and won a series of short corners (a common theme in the game). However the back five of Dillworth, Hosking, Hill, Mann and Cooper Jr stood firm. Hosking ran down a number, Dillworth saved a number and the only time he was beaten Mann cleared off the line. 

Near the end of the half Mann saw green for querying an umpire decision. Aerials from Cooper Jr continued to cause discomfort for the Finches back line. Wulfs again came close when a Sahib pass found Lally whose first time shot was kicked away by the keeper.

The 2nd half was dominated by Finches, however Wulfs still carved out the better chances. The  central midfield 3 of Jones, Harrison and O'Sullivan tackled tenaciously and offered a quick transition from defence into attack. The youngsters Sahib and Pearson offered excellent options out wide.

Pearson found himself unlucky to see green for a stick tackle. O'Sullivan was again unlucky when a shot from a Lally cross was saved by the Keeper. Mann almost scored from a Hill short corner. O'Sullivan was unlucky not to earn a stroke when rushing on goal he was pushed from behind as he lined up a shot.

The last 15 minutes was a barrage of Finches pressure. Short corner after short corner (we estimate the match tally at about 20) but the back line would not be beaten.

The first three points of the season and a fantastic team effort today. We need to keep up the momentum and move up the table. If we repeat this effort things will surely improve.

Man of the Match - The whole team were immense.