Men's 1s vs West Bridgford 1

Telford and Wrekin M1s faced West Bridgford in their opening game of the season in the Midlands Premier Division. After a mixed pre season, they knew that with the strength of the league reaching new heights, a good start to the season was vital. In West Bridgford they knew they faced a team in a similar position, against whom they had only taken 1 point last season. Telford were able to field a settled side, who have been building together for a number of years. Although missing the veteran duo of Richardson and Hennessy, they welcomed in the youthful Sahib Dhanjal for him debut, while the energetic Adam 'Phiz'acklea returned after a long absence.

The opening half was a cagey affair, with both side probing for weaknesses. Telford had the better of the possession, with Bridgford just edging in terms of penetration. Telford first clear chance game from a penalty corner, with Callum Stacey seeing his flick well charged down by the runners. A second corner soon after was saved by the keeper to his left. Telford also had chance on the break, but Sam Pratt's reverse stick long ball was just out of reach of the maundering Tom Mallett. At the other end Telford's experienced back line of Heath, Sahota, Bailey and Stacey, kept things in check, with few clear cut chances. Bridgford struck a penalty corner wide, and saw a ball scrambled away at the far post by keeper Davies. Just on the stroke or half time they thought they had scored, after a ball was played across goal to a free man. However, defender Bailey had been fouled in the build up, and the goal was disallowed. 

The second half began as a cagey affair, with both teams knowing the the first goal could prove vital. Telford remained patient, with the midfield pairing of Tom Gough and Sam Mallet, supported by McKittrick, working hard to give options and create space. Will Gough and Cal Nightingale worked well out wide trying to exploit the spaces created, while Phiz was impressive on second coming, using his pace and skill to punish Bridgford down the right wing. One of these forays resulted in the opening goal going Telford's way, when a free hit won by Phiz was played to Pratt, who found Higginson on the far post, who smartly finished on the volley. Telford kept the pressure up, and soon one became two when Stacey found Tom Mallet, who fired a trademark reverse stick strike across the keeper and into the bottom corner. This put Telford in the ascendancy, although Bridgford did think they had brought a goal back, only to see it once again disallowed. After this, even when Sam Mallet saw yellow, Telford kept the ball well, with Tracey up top especially showing his experience to hold up the ball and disrupt play. It was not until the final few minutes of the game when things got dicey for Telford. Bridgford won a penalty corner after some sloppy play. The resulting corner was well run down, but another corner was conceded. This pattern happened 4x running, with Tom Gough and Higginson both running down bravely and taking blows to defend the goal. The final one of these resulted in confusion all round when a penalty stroke was awarded. With the resulting flick being scorer, this led to a tense final few seconds, with tempers souring. However, when the final whistle was blown, Telford were left with a deserved 2-1 win.

DOD- Tom Jones