Men's 1st XI Vs Worcester 1

Date 12 February 2022
Team Men's 1st XI
Opposition Worcester 1
Fixture Home
Venue St George's Recreational Ground
Start time 13:30
Result W 5 - 1
Time played Normal time
Scorers
Match Report

On a cold, rainy and windy afternoon up at St George’s, 2nd placed Telford and Wrekin faced Worcester who had won their previous two fixtures. After last week’s disappointing 5-3 loss to Stourport the hosts were keen to get back to winning ways and keep the gap to 3rd placed Sutton Coldfield. 

The hosts were without Jack Mallett and Vince Richardson, as well as Chris Heath who looks like they will miss the remainder of the season with injury. Luke Stacey was recalled, offering some defensive cover and Dave Tracey was available after a Covid scare in the week. 

With Telford remaining patient in their press, Worcester saw plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges but failed to penetrate Telford’s ‘D’ and create any clear-cut chances. After starting on the bench DT was quick into the action. Following a long corner Tom Gough found the forward on the edge of the ‘D’. Tracey rolled his man onto his backhand and unleashed a missile which hit the top corner at the keepers near post. Callum Stacey also hit the post with a drag flick which was unlucky not to find the top corner. 

Tom Mallett was unlucky not to make it 2-0 as he tried to repeat DT’s goal but was denied by a stunning save by Worcester’s goalkeeper. However, he had his reward minutes later, a pushed effort again beat the keeper at his near post as the ball rolled through a crowd of players. 

With Telford in control Worcester got themselves into the game scoring from a penalty corner 5 minutes before half time. This gave Telford something to think about over half time and with an important 35 minutes coming up it was essential that the hosts came out firing. 

Top goal scorer Tom Mallett stood up and fired a drag flick low and hard into the bottom corner, which was given a helping hand by Worcester’s post man giving Telford a 3-1 lead. Three became four minutes later with a superb counter-attacking goal which cut through Worcester’s defence like a hot knife through butter, a real goal of the season contender. After winning the ball in their own half Telford’s midfield showed great composure by keeping the ball under pressure from Worcester’s forwards. After winning a free hit Liam Hennessy played a brilliant 50-yard pass across the pitch to Callum Nightingale. Carrying the ball into the final third, Nightingale linked with Noah Higginson who played a quick 1-2 allowing Nightingale to finish through the keeper’s legs. 

The second half was completed with a 2nd goal for DT who was in the right place at the right time to finish Luca Basini’s ball across goal. 

A superb second half performance from Telford who really stamped their authority on the game after a shaky final 5 minutes to the first half, leaving the score line as 5-1. This leaves the side in 2nd place, 4 points ahead of 3rd with a game in hand, scheduled to be played next weekend, 1:30 pushback at St George’s. 

Name Squad number Position Scored Assists Cards