Men's 3s vs Old Wulfrunians 1

The 3s travelled to Wolverhampton for their second game of the season to play Old Wulfs 1s, hoping to continue the form that saw them win 6-2 last week, and repeat the performance that saw them beat today’s opponents 6-1 in a pre-season friendly.

Ash Gillum and Tom Shelton joined the squad for their first 3s game of the season.

The side of the pitch in the shade of the trees was very slippery due to leaves on the wet surface, which the sun had not got to. Several players from both sides lost their footing during the game.

It was an even start to the match and the deadlock was broken in the 7th minute when Telford took advantage of a short corner won by Will J to take the lead. He injected and Ryan drag-flicked the ball high towards the top corner of the goal where Jason deflected it into the net past the keeper’s left hand.

Telford looked more in control, but often they were their own enemies with passes either being made too late, missing their intended target or being under hit. Sometimes this gave the ball away in dangerous positions, but Telford survived with Tom C making good saves when shots got past his defenders.

Telford doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Will P got the ball to Andy L at the top of the D. Andy hit a strong reverse and the ball went flying past the keeper into the net.

Old Wulfs came back. Telford were forced to defend deeper than they were comfortable with and couldn’t get the ball up the pitch to relieve the pressure. Old Wulfs were rewarded just before half-time. Their first shot was blocked by Telford, but the ball fell to the Old Wulfs no. 120 who hit a strong shot home, giving Tom C no chance.

2-1 to Telford at half-time.

Old Wulfs started the 2nd half strongly taking advantage of an under-manned Telford defence. Tom C was called on to make some excellent saves. However, in the 47th minute Old Wulfs attacked down their right, got to the base line and pulled the ball across the goal. It was met in the centre of the goal by the Old Wulfs no. 120, who put the ball away to get the equaliser.

Soon after the re-start both sides were reduced to 10 men. In the 50th minute Old Wulfs no. 81 went down just inside the Telford half from what looked an innocuous challenge from a chasing back Sean. The Old Wulfs player responded with some colourful language and he and Sean both received green cards.

Telford started to gain more possession, although Tom C was still being called on to make good saves.

Telford were rewarded for their efforts when both teams were back to full strength. In the 63rd minute Sean drove with the ball down the left side of the Old Wulfs half, hitting it into the D where Tom S deflected the ball on to Andy L, who struck the ball home to score his second goal of the match, and his third of the season to edge into the lead of the 3s scoring chart.

3-2 to Telford and that’s how the match finished.

Another brilliant keeping performance from Tom C earned him the Man of the Match.

The 3’s maintain their 100% record this season and are 3rd in the League.