1st Team Vs Market Drayton

Old Wulfs welcomed Market Drayton to the Grammar School for their opening pre-season friendly. A lack of availability meant that only a bare eleven was available, however Jack Pearson kindly stopped on to help out after his game for the second team.

Despite the fact Market Drayton will be playing in a higher league than Old Wulfs this season and also their numerical advantage in terms of match day squad, it was a very even contest in the first stages.

Wulfs were passing the ball around nicely but could not manufacture any clear cut chances. Midway through the half Market Drayton had a chance themselves from a penalty corner, which they duly despatched. The initial shot was saved, but the bounce off Colin’s pad fell straight to an onrushing attacker who made no mistake from close range. From there, even though the balance of play remained even, Market Drayton managed to get another, this time from a break away opportunity.

The second half saw Wulfs continue unabashed by the score line and seemed to take their game up a notch, even from the respectable first half showing. They were beginning to look like the better side and were creating more and more chances and winning penalty corners. They finally got their reward when a quick and incisive series of passes ended with Matt Litchfield being found on the back post to slot home.

Old Wulfs were now truly in the ascendency, the goal giving them more confidence to keep on attacking. A chance then fell to Will Ashworth when the ball came to him inside the D in front of an open goal. However, as the pass was bouncing, he mistimed the shot and the ball bounced agonisingly into his shin. This proved to be a pivotal moment in the game, as soon after Market Drayton broke away yet again and made it 1-3.

The game ended on that score line, which seemed a little harsh on Old Wulfs, but it is only a friendly and we can take confidence from a good performance without a full squad.