2nd Team Vs Buxton 2

Old Wulfs 2s braved the freezing wind and rain to welcome a Buxton 2s team level on points with them in the table, but riding high after a 9-0 victory the previous week.

Personnel changes meant a 2nd team debut for Tonry in goal, and a first league appearance of the season for Archie Harris.

The game started very evenly, with both sides baring their teeth in attack and showing resoluteness in defence. The first turning point in the game from a quick free hit from Evans to Minton on the attacking base line, who drove into the D and won a short corner from the cross. The resulting short was slipped to Minton whose shot was saved by the Buxton keeper, only to parry to a waiting Nightingale to make  it 1-0.

OW2 quickly made it 2-0 with a well won penalty flick. A ball was transferred from left to right, to Aldersley, who fed in the forward whose shot was blocked by a Buxton foot, preventing a certain goal. The resulting flick from Lally was never in doubt. 

Both teams continued to battle until half time, with Tonry making numerous good kicks and saves from dangerous positions. Truth be told there was very little between the teams and come half time, OW2 knew the battle was far from won. 

 As the second half progressed the pattern of the game remained the same - OW2 looking very dangerous from quick counters with numerous crosses put across goal, agonisingly out of reach of forwards. Halfway through the half a hard-hit 16 broke to Minton on the half way line, who proceeded to out-sprint the Buxton defence and calmly take the ball around the keeper to make it 3-0.

From there Buxton employed a very high press and the OW2 defence was finally breached, twice in quick succession, to set up a nervy last 2 minutes. Buxton pulled their keeper to try and get a numerical advantage outfield but OW2 killed the game off calmly and effectively to pick up an extremely hard-earned 3 points.

A great hard-fought game played in excellent spirits.

Man of the Match - Gareth Minton