Result – Wanderers 2 – Tipton Youth Lions – 2;

Following last weeks good result in the cup, the Wanderers we back in league action this week hosting Tipton Youth Lions at Willenhall Academy.

Match Report –
After last weeks great performance our confidence going into today’s game was high, although we knew that this wouldn’t be an easy game as Tipton are definitely one of the stronger teams in our division. Following our winning result against them in September we knew they would be going all out to get a different result. As we did last week we started the game with great pace, creating several chances within the first few minutes and should have been ahead. As per recent games our composure in front of goal can sometimes let us down, and today we just couldn’t take the chances we created. The first half was mainly played in the Tipton half and we controlled the game for long periods, although Tipton were dangerous on the break and several times we were nearly caught out by direct/long through balls. Mid way through the first half we were punished for our missed chances, a great through ball found the Tipton striker who provided a good finish to give them the lead. From the restart we were again on the front foot and had further chances before half time, but couldn’t find the equaliser. At half time we encouraged the lads to keep going and to keep believing that it would come, after all we were playing well.
The second half continued in the same pattern with us pushing forward, and 10mins into the half and we were finally level. Following a series of corners, one was eventually swung into the near post by Callum for Jack Chard to rise and plant a great header into the top corner, 1-1! This should have been the spring board we needed to go on and win the game, but unfortunately within 5mins we were behind again. A through ball found the Tipton forward on the left, he managed to get his shot away from the edge of the box, but our keeper (Tom) failed to deal with it spilling the ball into the path of their other striker, 1-2. Although this was a set back the boys picked things up straight away and pressed again for another equaliser. For the next 10mins it was all us, with chances for Jack, Josh and Alfie. Tipton were defending very well and were throwing themselves at every shot and into ever challenge. The second equaliser came with 15mins to go, a long free kick was knocked into the box and the Tipton keeper couldn’t hold on to it allowing Lewis May to follow in and stab home to make it 2-2. This was definitely no less than we deserved and now we felt we could go on and get the win. The final 10mins saw us make some changes and gave Kaya Perkins his debut and push everyone forward, although this meant we vulnerable to the counter attack and we nearly came unstuck again with Tipton twice getting through only for Tom to save well and keep us level. The final few minutes saw Tipton push forward and with the final corner they brought another fine save for Tom to ensure we finished 2-2.

A good all round performance today and on another day we could have won easily. Again some good individual performances this week, but the “Man of the Match” went to Thomas Long. After his mistake for the second goal, Tom picked himself up and didn’t let his head drop, pulling off two crucial saves in the final minutes to ensure we gained a point and remained unbeaten.

Well done to everyone today, even though a frustrating game we never gave up and never stopped playing our own game. We maintained our unbeaten start to the season so let’s keep it going. A week off next week, so let’s train hard and look forward to the next game!

Joe, Jason and Ronan.