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The first XI made the long haul to Wake Green Amateurs with manager Pete Tipton thankfully back at the helm making key decisions. On Friday night the selection problems revolved around who should be left on the bench given the strength of the squad. By Saturday afternoon it was more a case of how do we get eleven players out on to the field after learning of the late unavailability of Stewart Mason, Liam Evans and Mark Tipton. Furthermore big Tony Morrison was booked in for a page 7 fella photo shoot with The Sun and David Thompson turned up suffering from a chronic bout of influenza. The only solution to the problem was to draft in Nathan Watkins who, in true Nath style, had only got in from the previous nights antics at six in the morning.
It was obvious from the start of the game that Wulfs weren't at the races. All 50-50 challenges were being lost and the midfield were struggling to come to terms with the long, narrow pitch. It was therefore no surprise when Wakes, who adopted more of a hoof and chase attitude, took the lead on nineteen minutes. A long ball over the top of Jason Scott's head held up in the wind and caused the ageing veteran defender to spoon it up in the air. The ensuing melee ended with a Wakes forward spanking a loose ball into the roof of the net.
Things reached an all time low when Simon Hardle, famed for his grace, poise and trickery, was reduced to hacking down his opponent.
Gradually, as the half wore on, Wulfs slowly began to drag themselves back into the game as the midfield got to grips with the conditions. They almost levelled matters when a good John Muir cross into the area was met by the forehead of Rob Stirton, but his header sailed inches wide of the far post.
An excellent half time team talk from the boss and a spoonful of self belief in to the tea, saw Wulfs emerge for the second half with a far better spirit about them. They found a deserved equaliser on the hour mark and it was mostly down to the midfield. God foraging from Nigel Pearson and Neil Parkes saw the ball land at the feet of Rob Stirton. He held it up before square to the onrushing Myles Fenn who rifled hone his first goal for the red and white halves.
Fenn almost repeated the feat ten minutes later but this time his shot was screwed well wide.
Wulfs suffered a double blow twenty minutes from time. Chip Southern's foot injury flared up again so he had to be withdrawn and, worse still, Paul Tudor entered the fray. Tuey showed one good touch before resorting to kicking anyone in a ten yard radius as the two teams continued to push for a winner but eventually had to settle for an entertaining draw.
After the game we all tucked into the legendary Wake Green cuisine while Skedge cried into his beer because he had to take the kit to wash for at least the fourth time this season.
Final score: Wake Green Amateurs 1 Old Wulfrunians 1.
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