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The second XI made the short trip to the Outo Kumpu stadium for a Junior Cup quarter final clash against Walsall Phoenix. With usual manager Dave Winzor away on a scouting mission in France and his second in command Jamie Perkins also unavailable, there was a solo managerial debut for first XI assistant manager Paul Tudor.
Two extremely late cry offs forced a bit of a reshuffle with Jon Hart having to slip back into the heart of the defence to pair up with Richard Winzor.
Although only a division four side, Phoenix proved right from the start that they weren't going to be pushovers and with a good forward pairing, one of which was capable of playing a much higher standard, the Wulfs rearguard had to be on their toes at all times.
A very heavy pitch, especially down the middle, failed to stop Wulfs producing some good passing football and it was they who enjoyed the better possession in the first half but good chances were spurned by Ben Kimpton, Luke Oliver and Shane Evans amongst others. Chris Tranter was unlucky to see a long range shot bounce off the top of the crossbar following a quick free kick. It was Phoenix, however, who had the two best chances of the half but in-form goalkeeper Tristan Stephens was more than equal to the task.
The second half continued as the first had ended, with Wulfs looking the better team with the ball at their feet but Phoenix always a threat through their very tricky forward. Again chances came and went for both sides, the best of which was a Shane Evans open goal from thirty-five yards out after the home keeper had fluffed a clearance.
With the scores still deadlocked approaching the ninety minute mark and extra time looming, both teams had a chance to win the game but neither were taken and overtime was required.
Wulfs made a change with Rob Edwards coming on to replace Stuart Wright and with the Phoenix players beginning to labour for the first time in the game; Wulfs took the lead four minutes in to extra time when Chris Tranter picked up a loose ball and hit a low shot which had the keeper scrambling across his goal to no avail.
This knocked the stuffing out of Phoenix and Wulfs added two more goals in the five minutes that followed. First Shane Evans finished coolly after a deft through ball from Rob Edwards and then Luke Oliver pounced on a defensive error following a long ball forward from Rich Winzor to round the keeper with style before rolling into the empty net.
All in all it was a hard working, hard fought and well deserved victory and sets up an intriguing semi final tie against Sutton United.
Final score: Walsall Phoenix 0 Old Wulfrunians 3 AET.
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