Warley went to Wrens Hill confident that they would replicate their 5-0 cup win secured there earlier in the season. Club Dudley was eager to leapfrog Warley in the table as a win would put them 1 point ahead of them. However, heavy conditions meant that this game was never going to be a feast of football.
Warley started the game brightly with Dan W., Sam S. Junior and Sam D linking well to forge through the Dudley defence but the heavy pitch played its part in a catalogue of missed chances. The breakthrough came when Junior’s quick thinking short corner found Anil whose trademark dipping 20 yard shot was only partially parried by the keeper and found the back of the net to open the scoring on 10 minutes. Club Dudley 0 v Warley Boro 1. From the kick off there was little the Dudley midfield could do to combat the Anil and Byron central partnership that were dominant in tackles and playmaking. The Dudley defence still stood firm until a piece of individual brilliance in the 26th minute from Dan W. who nestled a Junior pass on he’s chest and calmly slotted it passed the keeper from 10 yards to make it Club Dudley 0 v Warley Boro 2 on 26 minutes which ended the first half scoring.
In the second half Club Dudley upped their game and started to play better. All around the pitch there was one to one battles as Warley fought hard to control the midfield. The Dudley defence played higher up the pitch which left the Warley forward line having to time their runs with extra precision. It wasn’t until the 45th minute when Byron won a tackle on the right and fed a stunning curling through ball to Dan W. who timed he’s run to perfection and blasted the ball leaving the keeper with no chance. Club Dudley 0 v Warley Boro 3. Warley continued to dig in deep contesting all of Dudley’s procession and this paid dividends as Byron’s 50th minute though ball found the boot of Dan W. Again who scored he’s hatrick goal with a low drive into the left hand corner. Club Dudley 0 v Warley Boro 4. Club Dudley were beaten but to their credit were still contesting every ball and covering every blade of grass. Their efforts were rewarded when they secured a consolation goal 10 minutes from time when number 11 produced a bullet from the edge of the box that rippled the Warley net and end the scoring of a fiercely contested match. Full Time: Club Dudley 1 v Warley Boro 4
