4th Team Vs Bournville 4

Old Wulf’s 4ths welcomed Bournville 4ths to WGS for a 11:30 start.  This was the second successive week Bournville had travelled to WGS having beaten OW 5ths on the previous Saturday 2-1.

With Bournville 2 points better off and only 1 place above in the league this game could define OW4ths season.

Bournville started the game and immediately started to put pressure on Old Wulf’s with the majority of the open exchangers taking place within OW’s half.  Bournville where determined and moving the ball well, Old Wulf’s tried in vain to make headway in the opposition’s half but where wasteful in possession.  8 minutes in and Old Wulf’s lost possession in midfield the ball was moved quickly out wide, and a diagonal ball was played into Old Wulf’s D where it found an unmarked Bournville player on the P spot who slotted home with only the keeper to beat. 1-0 Bournville.  Old Wulf’s started to take the game to Bournville, and where now finding their own players in the D.  Old Wulf’s forward players feeling slightly hard done by as last-ditch tackles saw Old Wulf’s players upended, stickless and bruised, not through malice, just the inexperience of youth.  It was during another breakdown in play that Bournville got their second, the ball was dribbled in from wide on the right, Old Wulf’s successfully won the ball but were too slow to clear their lines, a shot came in, initially saved by Rowley but the ball was swept off his pads for a simple tap in at close range.

HT 2-0

During half time it was clear Old Wulf’s were in “2nd Gear” to quote a few, sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too frequently, holding onto the ball too long, and waiting for the ball to arrive allowing easy interception by the opposition.

With only 11 fit players and the 12th still carrying an injury, options were limited.  Personnel were however shuffled in positions and Old Wulf’s started the second half. Old Wulf’s started to press Bournville and were starting to enjoy more possession in their opponents half as the game went on. Old Wulf’s were still finding it difficult in the final third with midfield finding their options (outlets) limited, Old Wulf’s were still not quite on their game. Old Wulf’s were however creating chances and wining penalty corners.  It was from a penalty corner that Old Wulf’s got a lifeline in the game. Nic played the ball in finding Neil at the top of the D, Neil slipped the ball to his left where Tom picked the ball up and avoiding the close attention of a defender, on the reverse played a firm well placed ball giving both defence and keeper no chance. 2-1. This goal appeared to affect the opposition who until now had been in control for large parts of the game.  There was now a slight nervousness in their play, as Old Wulf’s applied pressure, they started to make mistakes.  However Old Wulf’s were unable to capitalise and Bournville were able to clear their lines to maintain their lead.

Full Time 2-1 Loss

Players MOM goes to TOM with 6 votes, others were Nic 3, Neil 1, Rowley 1, Manny 1.

Summary: A game where Old Wulf’s just weren’t at the races, yes, they did improve as the game went on, but simply put, it was too little, too late. A better second half performance, but Bournville wanted it more, and perhaps Old Wulf’s gave them a little too much respect? This was a disappointing performance and an opportunity missed, with next week’s opponents also just above them in the league, back-to-back wins would have moved Old Wulf's 4th's up the table into 4th place. Old Wulf’s 4ths are 2 or 3 players short of being seriously competitive with the top 2 or 3 teams in the league, and mount a serious challenge for promotion.