This was a very tight game against an improved Incas team that finished 5th in the league last season. Both teams were tackling hard and pushing forward and William and Nathan were putting in some great last ditch tackles as the Incas played down hill in the first half. The Wolves won a couple of corners, the first was too hard and missed everyone but the second was better and Sam almost met it with his head.
When the Wolves passed the ball quickly they created chances and pressed forward however the Incas were quick to break and Cole was forced to make some great saves coming off his line. Tom also cleared well from a dropped corner. It was end to end and Ollie had a header just go over the bar from a corner and Dylan had a shot blocked after he intercepted one of the long Incas’ throw ins. A great passing move involving Jacob and Dylan lead to a shot going just wide. Tom and Nathan were closing down much better today and Nathan and Sam did a great job covering dangerous runs as the Incas started passing the ball around.
Jacob won a free kick in the final minutes of the half but the Incas’ GK held on well to the shot from Dylan. The Wolves had a couple more corners with no luck and as the Incas tried to break quickly Sam was quick and brave in midfield and won the ball back 3 times.
Half time 0-0
The Wolves won a corner in the first minute of the second half and with Dylan now finding his range the ball dropped nicely to Jacob running in at the back post. His shot was blocked and the ball rebounded to Sam on the edge of the box and he calmly slotted it low into the bottom right hand corner to break the deadlock. 0-1
Both goal keepers were playing very well and Cole was fast off his line to keep the Incas at bay and also saved brilliantly getting down low from a fierce shot. At the other end the Incas’ GK saved well from Dylan and Jacob and was holding on to the ball every time it came into the box. Ollie had a shot into the side netting from a good move by Dylan and Jacob and then Dylan had a header just wide from an Ollie cross.
Another Ollie cross saw a shot from Jacob saved and Dylan had a long range effort go over the bar. In the final minutes of the game Tom cleared well off the line after the ball had got past Cole following an Inca’s break.
Final score 0-1
A great result for the Wolves against a fast and physical Incas team who will win their fair share of games this season. Both teams created chances but two very good goal keeping performances kept the score low. There were some nice passing moves on occasion but again we were guilty of holding onto the ball too long at times allowing the Incas defence to get back behind the ball. Against good defending teams like this we need to break and pass quickly as really good chances are few and far between. Slow build ups also leave us vulnerable in midfield and give the opposition chances to attack quickly. Sam, William, Nathan and Tom closed down players much better today were brave in the tackle. The forwards need to follow this example in future games as the tendency to back out of tackles was in evidence at times again today!
