Wulfs topple leaders Hanley

 

 

Hanley made the perfect start, finding the back of the net within the first two minutes. Reece Jones was played in behind before taking it round goalkeeper Tom Hayward and firing into an empty net. Given Hanley’s start to the season it looked an extremely ominous task for AFC to get anything from the remainder of the game.

 

The hosts hit back immediately however, Dom Dell levelling just six minutes later. Aaron Bishop contested a crunching challenge in the middle of the park which saw the ball flash over to the far side where Dell pounced and finished well underneath the legs of the visiting keeper. A great response from Wulfrunians as they never let Hanley feel safe with their one goal advantage.

 

Ten minutes later the scoreline had completely turned on its head. Once again it was Dom Dell who applied the finishing touch, firing home following confusion in the Hanley defence. Dell has been in great form over the past few months and these two strikes showed off the best of his finishing ability.

 

After an entertaining opening twenty minutes the game felt like it was due a breather, but the action just kept on coming as the visitors now built pressure and looked to draw back level. Louis Dodds was hugely influential going forward however he spurned a decent chance as his volley from 12 yards flew over the crossbar.

 

AFC Wulfs responded well to this pressure by having a sustained period of their own. Consecutive corners eventually lead to Aaron Bishop having a great effort fly just past the far post. The first half was a terrific advert for Midland League football with both sides looking to go forward and create chances, resulting in a very lively and enjoyable contest for all spectators.

 

 

The second half continued in the same vein, both sides having plenty of chances and giving everything. Hanley had the first big one after the interval, striker Chris Dagnall seeing his back post header deflected behind for a corner.

 

Despite the chances for the visitors it was the hosts who got the crucial fourth goal of the game just after the hour mark. Ty Knight was the man who extended the lead with a strange goal as following a run down the right hand side he whipped an effort towards the far post which deceived everyone and smashed straight into the net off the woodwork. This was a massive moment as it gave The Wulfs that cushion which allowed them to sit and soak up any pressure Hanley could put them under.

 

For the remaining 25 minutes the away side had lots of the ball but found a steely, hard working defence really difficult to break down. The amount of effort given by the Wulfrunians players was immense and meant that the end result wad fully deserved.

 

Hanley had good chances in the final stages through goalscorer Reece Jones and defenders Jayden Cotterill, the former with the best one but Hayward stood firm and saved from very close range. The hosts held on to claim a valuable three points which saw them move up into the top five and take away another unbeaten record in Castelcroft.