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There was plenty of pre match cheer for the first XI as they entertained Handsworth GSOB for a top of the table encounter that could have a huge bearing on the shape of things to come. Prolific goal scorer Rob Stirton made the starting line up for the first time this season, everyone's favourite Tipton, Mark, was using the game as a springboard back to full fitness and rumour had it that Chip Southern and Nik Wooldridge were also close to returns from injury.
Wulfs opened the game in scintillating style and could have put the game out of Handsworth's reach in the opening fifteen minutes as the passing football flowed.
Liam Evans spurned the first opportunity with a free header from a Simon Hardle cross. Stirton almost marked his return by scoring with his first touch of the ball but the visiting keeper made a miraculous save from his looping header following an excellent John Muir cross. Stirton then almost freed Tony Morrison but his path to goal was blocked by a succession of desperate challenges and finally Stirton, when put clear by Evans, miscued his attempted chip straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
Just as it looked as though the breakthrough was never going to come, up stepped the ever reliable skipper James Skedgel. He got his huge forehead onto a pin-point Jason Scott free kick to power a header past the keeper.
Unfortunately, as in many other games this season, this was a cue to step off the gas a bit and Handsworth stepped up their game enough to exert a bit of pressure on the Wulfs back line.
Wulfs were indebted to goalkeeper Tim Tipton for preserving their lead when he made an excellent save as the opposition forward bore down on him.
A controversial incident occurred shortly before half time. The Handsworth forward attempted to take the ball to the by-line but over hit it. As the ball was rolling harmlessly out of play John Muir made accidental contact with his heel to send him sprawling for what was in all intents and purposes a cast iron penalty. Fortunately the referee didn't see it that way and Wulfs survived to take a slender lead into the half time interval.
Handsworth continued to make life difficult for Wulfs as the second half progressed and Tipton was forced to show great bravery to claim the ball at the feet of the Handsworth forward.
With Nigel Pearson and Mark Tipton now introduced into the fray, Wulfs grabbed a crucial second goal seventeen minutes from time. A slick passing move culminated with Pearson making a good run into the area before crossing for Neil Parkes to ghost in unnoticed to head home.
This broke the Handsworth morale and a third goal followed soon after. A partially cleared corner was headed back into the danger area by David Thompson and Skedgel acrobatically volleyed home.
Five minutes from time Wulfs added a fourth goal which made the score line look a bit flattering to say the least. Industrious work from substitute Andrew Thompson allowed Hardle to force a good save from the keeper but Liam Evans was on hand to cap a fine performance by tapping into the empty net.
There was still time for Andy Thompson to showcase his blistering pace and immense trickery but unfortunately his attempted shot from an angle that was impossible to mere mortals, flew just wide of the post.
Final score: Old Wulfrunians 4 Handsworth GSOB 0.
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