Men's 1st XI Vs Olton & WW 2

With six games to go in the season Telford and Wrekin Hockey Club’s Men’s 1st XI travelled to Olton and West Warwick on Saturday. The visitors were confident of a positive result with promotion well within their sights and welcomed back defender Chris Heath from injury but were without the ever-present Sam Mallett in midfield. 

Despite Olton’s league position, Telford knew that they would be a tough test and with the weather on the warm side it was always going to be a battle. The first half was evenly matched with both sides having an equal share of the ball, but it was Telford who had the better of the chances. Dave Tracey pulled his effort just wide of the left-hand post after some good work from Callum Nightingale, and Telford’s first couple of penalty corners not finding the target. 

Olton had the ball in Telford’s goal just before half time but was rightly disallowed for a back stick shot in the build-up. The game was finely balanced at half time with the score line at 0-0, and Suchy’s message at the break was to stick to the process and the goals will come. 

The first 15 minutes of the second half was again goalless but with Telford in complete control of the game, preventing the hosts from creating chances and dominating possession. 

Dave Tracey broke the deadlock after Sean Huffer’s effort was cleared, Tracey picked up the pieces. Winning the ball in the ‘D’ and shifting the ball onto his backhand, despite Olton’s keeper getting a stick to the shot the ball still found the bottom corner.

This goal was the catalyst for a rampage from Telford in the final 10 minutes of the game. Short corner to Telford, Tom Mallett stepped up but completely fluffed his flick, Callum Nightingale was first to the loose ball to double Telford’s lead.                                                                                        

Minutes later it was 3. A brilliant team goal which is certainly up for goal of the season. Winning the ball well inside their own half, Telford shifted the ball to the left-hand side, some brilliant passing through midfield got the ball to the right-hand side where they penetrated the ‘D’. Callum Nightingale’s shot was tapped home by Noah Higginson to grab his 9th goal of the season. 

The fourth and final goal was scored by Tom Mallett on his return to Olton as he found space in the ‘D’. Olton’s defence watched in awe as his reverse shot found the goal and capped off an excellent all-round performance from Telford. This is Telford’s 2nd clean sheet in a row and their 4th of the season which shows their discipline and improvement in this area across the season.

Next week Telford face Edgbaston at St George’s in a game that they could achieve promotion should results go their way.