1st Team Vs Beta (TBC)

When Chelsea went to Barcelona in 2012, few expected them to win. The swashbuckling style of Barcelona was seen as too much for a defensively minded, counter attacking Chelsea side. That game saw Barcelona firmly in control and Chelsea down to 10 men. Yet a dogged, steely resistance aided by crucial decisions at crucial times saw Chelsea breakaway twice to score in the match and finish 2-2 to advance to the next round of the Champions League. This match draws too many parallels with the game OWHC 1sts had this weekend.

Simon Guardiola gave a stirring coach's talk that focused on retention of the ball and simple passes. The game was controlled by OWHC and several chances won but they failed to break the deadlock. Upfront, the nous of the Wednesbury defence made it difficult to administer fairness in the game, with the OWHC strikers all failing to break through - however a sudden chance emerged, Wednesbury broke at speed, their own Fernando Torres dipping and weaving between the OWHC defenders, leaving their heads spinning as their striker finished sharply beyond Colin.

Half time: OWHC 0-1 Wednesbury

The second half saw OWHC try to control the game further, however if Messi/Pedro/Iniesta et al fell into the trap of overcommitting to find a win that would lead to their inevitable downfall, how were OWHC going to falling into a similar trap?

They didn't. Mistakes across the back and gaps in midfield combined with a misfiring forward line allowed Wednesbury to accelerate to a 4-0 lead.

Suddenly a glimmer of hope, OWHC had a short. Ash Taylor had the look of a determined man, the face of Roy Keane before a match against Arsenal descended upon him. He eyeballed the keeper viciously like a man possessed. The injection was done by Daz, smoothly stopped by Palmer, Ash had options of Shave on his left and Sam Aldersley and Callum Nightingale running to the far post... but Ash was unwavering in his determination - in his mind he pictured big lights flashing in his honour as he would lead the comeback and struck his drag flick low to the keepers right to finish in style. After 5 or 6 failed drag flicks it was a rare bonus to be celebrating a goal.

A nice drag flick but sadly OWHC didn't launch a comeback.

Full time - OWHC 1-4 Wednesbury

Man of the Match - Ash Taylor