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Depleted fourth XI take high flying Elmdon to the wire
With injuries and unavailability's mounting up prior to selection on Tuesday, it was no surprise that come Friday afternoon there would be a strong possibility the fourth XI would be low on numbers for Saturdays game against second placed Elmdon Heath.
For the first time this season Wulfs were left with six players by tea time on Friday and how player manager Chris Nicholls managed to get eleven players for Saturdays game was an amazing feat in itself, let alone running Elmdon close for a point.
On arrival at Elmdon, Wulfs did have the choice to not play the game due to a changing facility problem, but credit must go to all the fourth XI players who wanted to play the fixture.
From the kick off Wulfs opted for a 1-3-5-1 system with the recalled Craig Adey playing the role of sweeper behind Andy Carey, Chris Nicholls and new signing Kieron Hughes who hadn't played football for five years and was excellent all game.
Despite some great defending and goalkeeping from Max Fellows in the Wulfs goal, the fourth XI were unlucky to find themselves a goal down after ten minutes when Elmdon took advantage of the only defensive lapse that would happen all game.
Despite the conceded goal, Wulfs carried on playing the football they have not played in recent weeks and with playmaker Byron Priest using Mike Robertson's silky skills and pace in the middle of the park with constant back up from Ian Wrighty Phillips and Gaz Prosser, it was no surprise when they found Gordie The Legend Brown who lashed a shot into the top corner, another great goal from the legend of our club who though he doesn't play week in week out has been an example to all this season. He is Mr Fourth XI.
The game then became a stalemate and a bit messy towards the end with Elmdon guilty of playing the man and not the ball.
Unfortunately the worst tackle was on player manager Chris Nicholls who was two footed when not in possession of the ball. The tackle was a ankle breaker and the outcome a twisted ankle, twisted knee another casualty for the fourth XI to contend with this week.
The goal that gave Elmdon their three points was a free kick given by a referee who, to be honest, was probably twenty years past his sell by date as he couldn't keep up with play and was giving decisions for the last twenty minutes from the opposing eighteen yard box. To be honest it was never a free kick and Wulfs felt rather aggrieved when the ball hit the back of the net.
Despite the two-one loss, the fourth XI had done themselves proud to say it wasn't even their first choice starting eleven. They ran Elmdon rather close for a deserved point.
Enough said. It's the local derby next week. Bring on the team we all love to hate, Wulfrun. It's going to be messy…
Ref watch:- Well past his sell by date. I respect all ref's but some do need to give it up, when they can't keep up, it's not good for the game.
Moan of the match:- What can you really moan about? We were f**king great - did what we had to do keep the score down. Well done lads.
Taxi of the match:- Pete Oakley gets the double nod for a taxi. Despite being absolutely mashed from his Cheltenham Day out with Cheal, he was also sick on the side of the pitch which ruled him out of playing in the game. Just to add I found your keys Pete, the woman at the launderette's waiting for you, take the Vaseline she's banging on seventy and I said you'll owe her one…
Final score: Old Wulfrunians 2 Elmdon Heath 5.
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