|
The first XI travelled to Boldmere St. Michael's famous sloping ground for a Senior Cup final tie against Village attempting to win the trophy for the fourth time in the last six years.
A scrappy start to the game saw Wulfs create the first real chance on six minutes when a Simon Hardle corner was headed just over the bar by the unfeasibly large forehead of skipper James Skedgel.
Two minutes later, and for the first time against AFA opposition since mid-February, Wulfs fell behind. James Skedgel's attempt to clear a bobbling ball was miscued into his own face and the ball ran out to the edge of the area to an oncoming Village player. His shot was blocked but the rebound fell nicely into the path of another Village player who made no mistake with a low hard finish.
Eighteen minutes had now elapsed and it was clear that something wasn't right. It was time for apportioning some blame and making a change. The dreaded axe descended on the match ball. On a hard, bumpy surface, the brand new Mitre football that we had supplied was considered too lively and was replaced by a tried and tested less-lively model. Within seven minutes of the change Wulfs were 2-1 up.
One minute after Wulfs should have been awarded a penalty when Nik Wooldridge was bundled over from behind; they did get a spot kick when a cross into the area was sliced by one defender on to the outstretched arm of another. James Skedgel made no mistake despite a valiant effort by the Village keeper.
Two minutes later Wulfs forged ahead when a good move ended with Steve Rich curling a great ball in behind the defence for Noel Smith to run on to. His first shot was acrobatically saved by the keeper but he made no mistake with his follow up effort.
Smith almost doubled his goal tally on thirty-one minutes when a swift Wulfs counter attack enabled him to fire in a low, hard shot that flew just wide of the post.
More of the same was required in the second half and the omens looked good when good work between Rich and Smith enabled Simon Hardle to fire a shot straight at the keeper.
With the Wulfs defence now looking impregnable, the only chance for Village to get back into the game would be from a mistake. This almost came about on fifty-four minutes when Steve Rich drifted a bit too far back into his own half and got caught in possession allowing Village to create an overlap and put their forward through with a clear sight of goal. Fortunately captain Skedgel was able to eat up the ground and put in an excellent last ditch tackle that not only saved a certain goal, but also earned Wulfs a goal kick.
Steve Rich had two good chances to put the game out of Village's reach but failed to hit the onion bag on both occasions and Village had a couple of chances to get back into the game but the colossal David Thompson was Johnny on the Spot on both occasions to ensure there was no way back for the rosso e neros.
In the dying stages Wulfs sent on big Tony Morrison and he made a telling impact immediately. He used his legendary big fat ass to hold off his man before turning him and laying an excellent ball into the path of Steve Rich but unfortunately the clubs top scorer was again off target with his finish.
All that was left was for James Skedgel to make it the third consecutive season that Wulfs were able to lift the Senior Cup, a trophy that now becomes their own and will be melted down and used to make some more jewellery for Jason 'BA Baracus' Scott.
The coveted man of the match trophy, or the Simon Hardle trophy as it affectionately referred to within our club, was awarded to David Thompson. In a very close tussle between himself and James Skedgel, Tomo bagged the trophy because he had, in his own words 'more noticeable hair'. Both were awesome.
Final score: Old Wulfrunians 2 Village 1.
|
|
