1st Team Vs Stone 2

Old Wulfs kicked off their 2018/19 campaign with a convincing win over Stone 2s. Despite not training for two weeks due to the floodlight issue at the Grammar School, a full squad turned out fit and ready for what would be an encouraging opening performance.

In the early stages, the two sides looked evenly matched, each sharing time on the ball without really creating any meaningful chances. That changed midway through the half when positive play through the middle from Wulfs, allowed new signing Ollie Harris to collect the ball, find himself space in the D and lash a shot into the side netting. 1-0.

The balance of play continued as before the goal, although Old Wulfs seemed to be creating more in the final third. When they won a penalty corner not long before the halftime whistle, Owen Shave was on hand to despatch a fast and low shot straight into the bottom corner for 2-0.

When the second half began, some Stone players began to make their feelings known to the umpires regarding decisions not going their way. Despite this Wulfs scored yet again when Stone, perhaps distracted by their protestations, passed directly to an Old Wulfs attacker off their sixteen. The ball was then played straight into Will Ashworth in the D, who had made a run in behind, and he simply deflected the ball with one touch into the corner.   

During the final part of the game Old Wulfs began to show their dominance, winning the battle in midfield and limiting the opposition to hopeful aerial passes forward that led to very few chances. Another goal soon came for the home team when a fast attack down the right side was worked in to the D, where Archie Harris finished from close range.

Stone got a consolation goal when they found a rare pass to their centre forward, who broke away and scored. But not long after, Old Wulfs did the same, overloading the away side’s D where Shave got his second of the day.

To finish the game, Stone continued their sniping at the umpires until two of their players were given yellow cards for persistence. This effectively finished the game off, if it wasn’t already. Old Wulfs comfortable 5-1 victors.

Man of the Match – Andy Hobley