3rd Team Vs Stone 5s

Old Wulf’s made the journey to Stone Hockey club for a 15:30 start. Stone got the game underway and immediately began to attack Old Wulf’s.  Playing with a hard and fast press, OW’s found themselves under some early pressure as Stone took the game to them.  Stone putting a shot just wide within the first 2 minutes and managed to sustain the high press for around the first 5. Both sides then went through a small period of unforced errors exchanging possession frequently. OW’s then began to settle and began to take a grip on the game. Harman was finding himself in some excellent positions on the right, several chances and half chances came and went but OW’s were unable to capitalise, At around 10 minutes OW’s got the breakthrough when Gary receiving the ball in the 23, progressed into the D and squared the ball to Jandu whose well placed shot resulted in a goal to OW’s. 1-0 to OW’s. OW’s were now dominating play, the central midfield partnership of Nic & Rob was working exceptionally well whether OWs were on the attack or defence. Stone continued to attack with urgency when in possession only to be thwarted by OW’s defensive unit. OW’s off the ball play was a joy to witness, and OW’s were constantly losing their markers and in doing so opened the play to great effect.  OW’s fwd line were finding acres of space driving into Stones D with increasing regularity and could have increased the lead on several occasions. OW’s got their just reward at around 23 minutes when Vish advancing down the right found Jandu in the D for his and OW’s second. 2-0 OW’s.  OW’s continued to maintain ahigh press and were constantly defending the halfway line, severely limiting Stones out balls especially on their 16’s. OW’s press and off ball movement continued to open up Stone and again OW’s should have increased their lead, but the score remained 2-0 to OW’s at half time.

HT 2-0 Old Wulf’s.

The second half started with OW’s displaying the same commitment as if the game was still 0-0.  The midfield unit of Frosty, Nic, Rob and Vish worked tirelessly.  When play did breakdown, they worked equally hard in defence as they did in attack.  Their defensive work was complimented by the calm composure of Gurnham and the ever present Coxy mopping up everything else.  The Fwds continued to find space and the team was working hard and ‘putting in a shift’ and dare I say it, playing as a team.  Stone did however still have the odd chance in the second half. Midway through the half they advanced into OW’s D and forced Colin into a save, for only his second touch of the match. Despite this OW’s continued to cause Stone problems with Vish picking the ball up just outside the 23, advanced into the D to fire a fierce shot across the goal and just wide of the post. and flashed a few of their own just past the post. As the game was drawing to a close OW’s were awarded a long corner, Nic played the ball wide left to OW’s Capt, who hit a firm ball towards the far post where Vish calmly dispatched past the keeper and into the net for OW’s third. With no time left for a restart OW’s finished the game with a 3-0 win.

FT 3-0 Old Wulf’s win.

Summary an excellent game were OW’s Fwd, Midfield and Defensive units played exceptionally well together and partnerships on the field were evidently coming to fruition. Special mentions to Rob & Nic who with Frosty & Vish controlled the central part of the pitch. An expensive game for Colin (GK) who only touched the ball once in each half. Several players came in for Man of the Match votes: Gurnham, Frosty, Rob, Gary, Nic, Coxy, but by the smallest of margins this week’s players MOM vote goes to Frosty.