Amazingly the game went ahead in dreadful conditions which were unlikely to favour the passing game we had developed over the previous few weeks. The Jets were going to be tough to play as they had beaten us 2-1 in our tournament in June.
The Wolves started brightly with some good passing from Ollie and Dylan which gave Jacob an early chance, however he slipped as he shot and the GK saved easily.
The Jets then broke quickly and Cole had to save well with his foot from a powerful shot from the Jets’ giant Number 7. The early minutes were end to end and both teams tackled well in the slippery conditions. The Jets were defending deep with all their players getting behind the ball and relying on their pace to hit us on the break. After seven minutes Dylan put the Wolves in front with a great long range shot after Ollie had stopped the Jets’ goal kick. 0-1.
The Jets broke quickly from the re-start and had a powerful shot hit the post. Cole then made a great save from another long range shot straight afterwards.
Ollie had a chance go wide following a good clearance from Sam and some neat passing from Dylan and Jacob. Another shot from Ollie went wide after he again stopped a Jets’ goal kick.
Nathan, Sam and William were making some great tackles, marking the Jets’ runners well to prevent any clear chances and playing the ball well into midfield.
The Wolves got their second goal after Dylan had a shot blocked and Ollie fired home the rebound. 0-2.
The conditions and the packed Jets’ defence limited our chances, however Jacob played in a nice cross to Charlie who also lost his footing and then Jacob had a shot saved as well. Just on half time there was a great inter passing move between Jacob and Dylan which resulted in a shot from Dylan into the side netting.
Half time: 0-2
The Jets attacked from the re-start but Cole saved well again with his foot and William and Nathan both put in some superb tackles to regain the momentum for the Wolves. Jacob had a couple of shots through the massed Jets defence saved.
A debatable back pass free kick was given to the Jets when Sam stopped the ball on the edge of the box as Cole came to gather, however Sam redeemed the situation with a great block and clearance.
The Jets were still relying on their big Number 7 to attack wide and shoot from distance. Midway through the second half, as the Wolves midfield tired in the conditions, he got clear on the left and hit a stunning shot that gave Cole no chance. 1-2.
The Wolves kept trying and there was some lovely passing between Ollie, Charlie, Dylan and Jacob. Dylan had a great long range effort hit the post and both Charlie and Jacob had chances to score. Charlie and Nathan were working hard in midfield and Cole had to save again from a long range Jets’ shot.
Jacob won a free kick after being brought down as he broke down the right wing. His shot was parried by the Jets’ goal keeper however all the Wolves players had already started retreating and no one followed up as the ball bobbled in the area with the GK on the ground!
A very difficult game however some of the passing moves were excellent and we created lots of chances. The defence worked hard and tackled strongly and Cole made some great saves. Charlie seemed to enjoy playing in the heart of midfield in the second half and worked hard, making some good tackles and distributing the ball well.
