3rd Team Vs Stone 5s

Old Wulf’s 3rds welcomed Stone 5ths to WGS for an early the first game of the day, but still in search of their first points for 2023. Having won the toss 3rds got the game underway and immediately went on the hunt and so it remained for the first 10-15 mins of the half. during this time 3rds have several penalty corners the best of these resulted in Stones keeper pushing the ball around the post at full stretch with their stick, but 3rds remained goalless.  For the next 15-20 minutes the tide turned and it wasn’t long before Stone evened up the penalty corner count but like Old Wulf's they too were unable to convert.  And so, the teams went in at half time at 0-0 and honours even.

HT 0-0

Stone got the second half on the way but following the halftime talk and a rotation of players it was Old Wulf’s who took the advantage on 37 when Alex converted close to the goal line from a penalty corner. 1-0 Old Wulf’s. Within two minutes of the restart Old Wulf’s increased their lead when following some good play down their right. Sam making his debut crossed the ball from the right to an unmarked ‘Frosty’ who calmly beat the keeper from just inside the D. 2-0 Old Wulf’s. Old Wulf’s were two goals to the good and in control, but Stone had other ideas and immediately after the restart found themselves bearing down on Old Wulf’s Keeper, the shot eventually hitting an Old Wulf’s defender close to the line which otherwise would have hit the back of the net. With a P Flick awarded Stone accurately dispatched the flick past Dill in goal despite him going the right way.  Not only had Stone pulled a goal back, but the strike which led to the flick resulted in Rob Hemmings not playing any further part in the game. 2-1 Old Wulf’s.  Both sides continued to probe the defences and on 52 Old Wulf’s converted a penalty corner, injected by Nic and converted by Clarky to restore their two goal lead. 3-1 Old Wulf’s. Old Wulf’s should have closed the game down, they had chances to increase their lead, but Stone were not giving up and on 55 mins, got their second from a penalty corner where the ball spun off the stick of the defender on the post and into the net. 3-2 Old Wulf’s. .With the momentum swinging towards Stone Old Wulf’s conceded a third to level the scores just a few minutes later on 57 mins. 3-3. Both sides continued to look for a winner and Old Wulf’s defenders pulled off a double save from a Stone Penalty Corner when a shot came in from out wide and was cleared by either Roger or Frosty as the ball looped up of the others stick on the goal line.

FT 3-3.

So Old Wulf’s gain their first point of 2023, but it could have been so much more, or indeed less. 3rds need to build on this point, as they welcome bottom of the table Lichfield to WGS next week.

Special mentions to: Sam Parkes who played well on his debut, Alex on the left and Clarky in midfield.