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7th May 2005

Old Wulfrunians v Shirley Athletic

With the league championship trophy safely locked away in the already bulging trophy cabinet, the first XI still had two records to try to preserve when they entertained Shirley Athletic.  Firstly, an unbeaten run in the league that stretched back to September 2003 and also the proud record of having conceded only ten league goals all season.

After spending the first fifteen minutes of the game getting to grips with an opposition whose average height was 6ft 7inches, Wulfs gradually began to build up the momentum and the chances soon began to arrive.

On fifteen minutes, a Simon Hardle corner was toe-poked against the bar by Steve Rich but Wulfs only had to wait another minute before taking the lead.  Noel Smith fed a deft pass in to the feet of Simon Hardle and he crashed a low hard shot in to the bottom corner of the net.

Three minutes later Wulfs were at it again when a Chip Southern cross was met first time by Steve Rich but the visiting keeper did well to push the shot to safety.

Shirley almost grabbed a shock equaliser in the twenty-third minute following a free kick but fortunately the resulting free header struck the outside of the post with Tim Tipton beaten.

Wulfs almost increased their lead in the twenty-seventh minute when Liam Evans won possession before playing the ball in to Noel Smith's feet.  He in turn fed it first time into the path of Simon Hardle who tried an audacious chip with the outside of his right boot but the ball flew just wide of the post.

No matter as Wulfs increased their lead seven minutes before half time and again Hardle was Johnny on the spot.  Steve Rich chased a ball over the top and out-muscled his marker before squaring to Hardle side footed casually home.

From the start of the second half Shirley came out with renewed vigour and dominated early possession without being able to find a way past the Wulfs stonewall rearguard.

They were made to pay for their offensive inaptitude when Wulfs increased their lead on sixty-four minutes.  Excellent interplay between Liam Evans and Noel Smith inside the Shirley penalty area saw neither able to get a clear sight at goal but Steve Rich stepped in to hit a shot that deflected past wrong footed goalkeeper.

Shirley almost hit back a minute later but Wulfs keeper Tim Tipton pulled off a save that will surely rival Rene Higuita's 'Scorpion Kick' in years to come.  A long range shot flew straight at him but Tipo went down into a 'Hungry Hungry Hippo' pose before snaffling the ball into his ample midriff.

Wulfs hit straight back when Phil Gardner fed the ball to Myles Fenn and he squared to Nik Wooldridge who fired in a shot that was well tipped over the bar by the Shirley keeper.

On seventy-two minutes disaster struck for Wulfs when they conceded their eleventh goal of the season but it should never have been allowed to stand.  A deep cross from the right put James Skedgel under pressure at the far post and his attempted clearance was charged down by the hands of a player who was holding both arms above his head.  The referee allowed play to continue and the Shirley substitute was left with a free shot at goal which he duly despatched.

More bad news was to follow when Steve Rich ended up on the floor while tussling for the ball with his marker and another defender came in from behind and put in a challenge that could easily have broken his arm with the ball nowhere near.  Fortunately, after a trip to casualty, no bones were broken.

Unperturbed, Wulfs continued to forge on and added a fourth goal ten minutes from the end when Noel Smith headed home his customary goal a game by following up Liam Evans' saved shot.

Smith almost ventured in to new territory by scoring his second goal of the game on full time but this time his shot hit the post and ran along the line and to safety.

The unbeaten league run for the season extends to twenty-five games but the one goal conceded hurts like a hole in the head.

Final score: Old Wulfrunians 4  Shirley Athletic 1.

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