4th Team Vs Ludlow 2

Old Wulf’s 4ths travelled to Much Wenlock for an 11:30 start on a fresh but sunny morning. 4ths welcomed Harry Brookes a student from WGS who was making his debut for Old Wulf’s Hockey Club.

With OW’s ready to start the game it soon became apparent that Ludlow were missing their keepers kit.  In the spirit of Hockey both Captains agreed to delay the start of the game by 15 minutes, to allow a little time for the kit to arrive.  As the delayed start time approached, Ludlow’s keepers kit was nowhere to be seen, and the game commenced with Ludlow having the ball and fielding 11 outfield players with no player having goalkeeper privileges.  With no opposition keeper OW’s should have taken the game to Ludlow, looking for penalty corners and at least getting shots on goal, but the reality was a very different affair. From the start Ludlow kept possession and worked an opening which resulted in a penalty corner, which eventually OW’s managed to defend and clear. As the half progressed Ludlow were always in control of the game. When OW’s did venture forward they often lost the ball too cheaply with passes going astray or losing out in the tackle. OW’s consistently were unable to exhibit any cutting edge in the oppositions 23. As the quarter passed, Ludlow reverted to 10 outfield players and a keeper. OW’s made substitutions with 4ths Capt on his return from injury replacing Noah at LB and Harry Brookes coming on for Vish at RMid. Within minutes of the change, during another Ludlow attack 4ths Capt was left flat footed and Ludlow’s right sided player played the ball across the top of the D for Ludlow’s Centre Forward to slot home. 1-0 to Ludlow. Following the restart OW’s managed to get the ball out wide to the right where Harry was making good progress, passing two Ludlow players in the process before the attack fizzled out. Ludlow however continued to dominate and scored another goal to make it 2-0 before half time.

HT 0-2

For the start of the second half OW’s replaced another two players with Vish & Noah coming back on for Baz & Ahmed, with a few other players changing position in an attempt to get something from the game. OW’s started the game but quickly lost possession with a loose pass and it wasn’t long before Ludlow were causing mischief in OW’s D. OW’s were just about managing to keep Ludlow out, but Ludlow somehow always seemed to have an extra man ready to pounce and it wasn’t long before Ludlow went 3-0 up. OW’s huffed and puffed when in possession and were getting some joy down both wings, but on each occasion struggling to either get a ball into the D or to an OW’s player.  With around 15 mins gone Ludlow got their 4th from an attack that began in their own half.  Final Substitution change with Ahmed and Baz coming back on for Andy Hamilton and Ed. With around 10 to go Harry was growing in confidence and twice found himself in Ludlow’s D but unfortunately on each occasion Ludlow successfully cleared their lines. With the game ending there was still time for Ludlow to grab a 5th, Ludlow attacked in numbers and when OW’s failed to clear there was only going to be one outcome.

Full Time 5-0 Loss

MOM goes to Harry Brookes who grew in confidence as the game went on.

Summary: A game in which the opposition dominated, Ludlow were a fitter, quicker and well drilled side. A disappointing performance with too many players having a bad day at the office. Not quite a ‘Greek Tragedy’ but it did contain some of the associated common features.