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The third XI travelled to Shirley for a difficult game against one of the divisions top teams.
The first part of the game saw both teams playing decent football with both forward lines looking particularly lively. Shirley made the first telling chances but they were well dealt with by Wulfs keeper Darren Sangha.
Gradually Wulfs began to take control of the game with Gareth Lawton and Ashley Postance opening up the home defence like a tin of beans and the impressive Adam Campbell running his markers ragged.
Wulfs took the lead on twenty-four minutes when Campbell, just inside the opposition half, played the ball in between defenders for Bup Patel to run on to. He laid it off to Simon Stewart who dropped a shoulder to leave a defender on his backside before side footing past the keeper.
Shirley hit back quickly and levelled the scores within five minutes when good play between the forwards ended with a good headed goal.
The scores weren't level for long as a Wulfs corner was only half dealt with and Ashley Postance, with his back to goal, turned to volley home from the corner of the box.
There was nothing to choose between the two teams at this stage. Jim Lawton was fighting hard in the middle of midfield and Phil Gardner and Matt Williams were shouting out their orders from the back.
Two minutes before half time Shirley caught Wulfs napping after Bup Patel had tracked back to retrieve a ball only to foul the Shirley winger. A total lack of concentration from the resulting free kick allowed a Shirley midfielder to volley home as the Wulfs players were watching something other than the game.
A second half change with Gareth Lawton having to go off to be replaced by Paul Fothergill saw Wulfs regain control of the game and looking to take the lead for a third time.
How a goal wasn't scored during this period remains a mystery as Campbell continued to wreak havoc, Fothergill taking a hold of the midfield and no real problems at the back.
That was until a long ball over the top seven minutes from time for the Shirley forward to run on to left keeper Darren Sangha having to make a 75 - 25 challenge in which he came off worst and had to go off injured to be replace between the sticks by manager Dave Griffiths.
DG made a couple of good clearances but with a minute left on the clock, a Shirley free kick was hit in low and hard and DG was unable to hold and the loose ball was guided home.
In the end it was an unjust result with Wulfs the better team for most of the game. To add to that Darren Sangha will be out for a few weeks and Gareth Lawton is struggling with another knock. Not a good day at the office.
Final score: Shirley Athletic 3 Old Wulfrunians 2.
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