Men's 2nd XI Vs Burton 2

Telford 2nds, coming off the back of a good win at home to University of Birmingham, travelled for an early start away to Burton. Missing several players from the previous week Telford did however welcome back Matt Denver, Owen Shave, Luke Stacey and Luca Basini as well as a first 2nd team appearance of the season for Callum Nightingale. Telford started the game not looking like their usual selves, silly mistakes and a lack of defensive solidity meant a combination of good saves from Nathan Capes in goal and wasteful finishing kept the scores level. That was until a lifted shot from a Burton player struck the hand of Denver, despite it being on his stick the umpire gave a penalty flick which Burton dispatched well. Telford knew they needed to step up their level and started to make better use of the space in the wide areas towards the end of the half. Their hard work was rewarded when good work by Lewis Moore led him to set up Sean Huffer via a deflection with Huffer finishing well on the half volley to put Telford in 1-1 at half time.

The message from the manager was that the level needed to be better with greater intensity in the play needed. A personnel readjustment followed and Telford started the second half the brighter of the two teams, putting Burton under far better pressure from the off. Within five minutes they were rewarded with a goal, Callum Nightingale setting up Matt Hadley-Moore to sweep home from the penalty spot. Within minutes 2 became 3 as again Nightingale showed good work in the D with the ball falling to Sahib Dhanjal at the back post to pick his spot and fire a shot into the far corner just above the backboard to grab his first goal for the 2nds. Telford were mostly controlling the play but with Burton still offering a threat on the counter with Capes in goal continuing to stand strong. Telford made the points safe with a fourth goal, Owen Shave collecting a wide short corner injection before hitting cleanly towards goal that was deflected in off the defender. Shortly after Telford went down to ten men, then nine men, then back to ten men, before going back down to nine before returning to ten for the remainder of the game. Burton capitalized on the reduced numbers to pull a goal back but it wasn’t enough to stop Telford taking home 3 points and secure their 6th win from 6.

Next week sees a top of the table clash as Telford welcome second placed Finchfield to St George’s as Telford look to extend their lead at the top.

Goals: Sean Huffer, Matt Hadley-Moore, Sahib Dhanjal, Owen Shave

Man of the match: Sammy Brazier