2nd Team Vs Leek 3

Hockey can be a cruel game...

Old Wulfs 2s made the long trip up to Leek for a game under floodlights against a team who ran our first team close last year. 

Old Wulfs started much the better team, playing some fantastic hockey across the width of the pitch and immediately put Leek, possibly to their surprise, very much on the back foot. A number of short corners came to nothing and Leek resorted to trying some long ball hockey to let their forwards in the game, all efforts handled by the resolute back line with ease. Midway through the half a shot was stopped by a Wulfs chest on the way into goal but the resulting flick was put over the bar. 

A very encouraging team talk demanded that Wulfs carried on playing as we did in the first half, but to take some of our chances. We duly obliged with a quickfire double through Sahib Duhra, with 2 very cute poachers goals. From then Leek started sitting much higher up the pitch and really forcing Wulfs back. The pressure told and they scored a couple of goals to make it 2-2 with about 15 minutes to go. Old Wulfs were far from on the back foot through the half though, and still forced the Leek GK into more good saves, as he had to do in the first half. With a couple of minutes left, a second flick was awarded against Wulfs, somewhat to everyone's surprise, which Leek put away to take the lead, and which they held on to despite ferocious Wulfs pressure once the game restarted. 

After what must be described as one of the best performances by a Wulfs second team for a very long time, the loss hurts, but we should all hold our heads up high for a brilliant effort against a good team. Jandu in goal dominated his D and was powerless to stop the goals. Adam Aldersley made fantastic long pass after long pass, exposing the Leek left. Minton and Duhra firmed a formidable duo in the centre, giving the Leek frontline very little space and blocking almost every Leek foray forward. Thompson had his attacker on toast and played more like a winger. Ollie and Archie Harris controlled the game from the middle of the park, more than ably supported by a solid Jake Aldersley providing cover, and Dan Taylor being a more creative spark. Evans put ball after ball in from the right and caused trouble all afternoon. Tibble worked hard and created plenty of space and opportunity for teammates. Mellis also played a very clever game and upset the Leek defence on more than one occasion, and last but not least Sahib Duhra played the forward role almost to perfection and got a couple of great goals. 

I've deliberately mentioned every single player as we all deserve recognition for how we played. Captain's pick for man of the match today is the whole team.