A fine, warm sunny evening to play AFC Wulfs at a superb venue. All 16 of our players for the first time were all ones that will feature during the forthcoming season. We knew this friendly would prove our sternest test yet & it did not disaapoint.
Stourbridge started much the brighter with our opponents struggling to get close to the ball. Excellent passing & moving but a final ball or finnish was eluding us, Old Wulfs managed to scramble a good effort from Josh off the line, and a number of shots were fired over or wide without really testing the keeper. With 35 mins gone totally against the run of play, a long ball over the top from Wulfs caused a little hesitation & mis-communication between our defence & keeper, with their player nipping in to place the ball over Dom & into the net. This was unjust but it was'nt time to panic, it would show what sort of a squad we had assembled and what character they had. We thought first half posession was probably 70%-30% in our favour but as you see often in football, goals win games.
Simple instructions at half time was just to continue the way we were playing, make more use of any corners or free kicks & ensure a final product. It was Wulfs turn to start the half better and they could have doubled there lead but luckily a side footed shot sailed over our bar. Our 2nd corner of the half & the lads must have listened as Dan found the net after a well taken & worked corner. 10 mins later a "wonder goal" from Eric from 30 yards after a one touch and fired into the net. This proved to be the winner in a well contested friendly against good opposition at a great venue.
Thanks for the hospitality & good luck for the season.