Men's 1st XI Vs Hampton-in-Arden 1

After coming out the wrong side of a tight encounter last week, Telford returned to their own stomping ground looking to get back to winning ways against Hampton-in-Arden. Although missing both Phil Bailey and the experienced Sunny Sahota, Jack Mallett returned to bolster the squad.

Telford started the game well, sticking to the processes that have seen them in good stead. It wasn't long before Telford opened the scoring, with Noah Higginson winning a penalty corner, and Callum Stacey rifling the resulting flick into the netting. Despite dominating the play, Telford conceded an equaliser when a rebound from a penalty corner fell to the top D for the Hampton striker to hammer a volley into the top corner, leaving everyone stunned. However, the Hampton celebrations were short lived when Stacey found Dave Tracey wide open on the penalty spot to slot home into a wide-open goal. Tracey soon had his second as he turned and powered a trademark strike into the bottom corner to give Telford a 3-1 lead heading into half time.

Telford entered half time knowing that although they were winning there were still areas they could improve. However, it was Hampton who struck first in the second half, when some slack defending saw the ball fall to a free player in the D who slotted the ball into the bottom corner. After this the game quickly became scrappy, with both teams knowing the next goal was vital. Fortunately, it was Telford who found the goal, when the ball fell lose in the D, following a save from the keeper, for Tom Mallett to score on his backhand. With Telford 2 goals to the good Hampton pressed high and piled on the pressure, but Telford's defence held firm. The game was put to bed when Stacey's quick thinking found Tom McKittrick free on the right, who drove into the D before finding Noah Higginson, who rounded the keeper with a smart finish to seal the three points for the hosts.

Telford have had a promising start to their season in a new league and will be hoping to get a result against a strong Stourport side who they are all too familiar with after facing them last season.