High scoring defeat doesn’t tell the real story as Wolves lose to Broadheath 8-2
16 Jan 2011

There’s a famous joke (in poor taste of course) about a comment attributed to the Mayor of Hiroshima, which to paraphrase for our younger viewers, amounts to “I can’t believe we lost 8-2”…

And I still can’t, several damp hours later. On a shocking morning for precipitation, most of it directly at and into the managers’ glasses, or so it seemed, the Wolves played some really encouraging football and had the match finished with some 10 minutes to go and the score 4-2 to the home side, the result would have seemed far fairer than the stats will show.

After a well organised start, the Wolves had fair share of possession and the odd chance, the brace of Jacob’s (P and BH) marauding up front, deft touches on the flanks by Chesters and Jacob B and tigerish midfield industry from Meshach and Harry S were creating space and clearly troubling the ‘heath backline.

Against the high flying Broadheath, the defence was going to come under the most pressure and sure enough, even after some expertly timed interventions from Oscar, the excellent Ollie and Harry G in tandem and one particular howitzer of a tackle by Harry Chopper Clare, chances came to the home side which they put away with some aplomb.
Patrick, in goal for the first time, made some excellent if unorthodox clearances and had a great game throughout the drenched first half and slightly less submerged second period.

As the teams turned round, the Wolves, 3-0 down and playing with the maelstrom at their backs sensed a chance to redress the balance. Jacob P battling down the left and into the area was brought down by the keeper in classic fashion and there was an audible silence, save for the multitudinous raindrops falling on soaking heads, before the shrill of the whistle and the “man-in-black” pointed to the muddy pancake of a penalty spot.

Harry S converted coolly to the ‘keepers right; now at 3-1 Wolves were on the prowl. Broadheath continued to have chances and in sending an unstoppable shot to make it 4-1, they rattled the Wolves cage. More good work on the right saw Jacob P again causing trouble and as the ball fell to Meshach, his delicate flick goal-wards was helped in by a flailing Broadheath defender. 4-2 and the Wolves were ready to go the kill…

Sadly, Broadheath rallied and seemed to score at will in the last few minutes. Unsurprisingly the Wolves, who had put in a superb effort in challenging conditions, tired and the scoreline at the end did not reflect the quality of the Wolves commitment and effort. Great stamina on a shocking day from all the boys, though for his goal and all round contribution, Meshach was today’s Man of the Match.

There will be more rewards for the team as matches looming lie against lower league opposition in the coming weeks and perhaps the prophetic words of Senkichi Awaya need not pass through our thoughts again…