Men's 2nd XI Vs Finchfield 2

Telford 2’s travelled to Finchfield for their rearranged game at 5pm on Sunday knowing that this would be a tough game, with Finchfield sat in second place and with all the benefits that come with home advantage. Telford were missing Matt Denver and Matt Hadley-Moore but welcomed back Tom Jones and Sahib Dhanjal with Josh Sykes making his debut for the second team after a stellar season in the 4ths. 

Telford did not start the game in their usual fashion with the intensity lacking and left themselves too open to the home side's attack. Finchfield took a 3-0 lead within the first 30 minutes of the game, a position the 2s hadn't found themselves in since their last visit to Penn Road last season. Chances were made with both captain Jon Cook and top scorer Sean Huffer hitting either post with the boys knocking on the Finchfield goal. Tom Jones received a much disputed yellow after trying to take a quick free hit and being blocked by a defender on the ground. The Finchfield defender reacted, putting his hands into Jones' face and somehow only received a yellow card which in other circumstances would have received the sterner punishment it deserved. With tensions running high, Telford pulled one back on the stroke of half time with Owen Shave playing a ball into the D with Cook making a run in front of the defender to receive and flick over the incoming keeper to make it 3-1 at half time.
The team talk from manager Tom Williams was to play our game and it’ll come, intensity, communication and not getting into any unnecessary confrontation. 

The team started much brighter in the second half and were knocking on the door from the off with it not taking long for Telford to pull another goal back with Gareth Hawkins deftly deflecting a Sean Huffer pass past the keeper to make it 3-2. The game became scrappy with a constant back and forth with some brilliant performances coming from Lewis Moore and Sykes showing some real passion and quick thinking to get Telford further forward. Gamesmanship set the tone for much the remainder of the game unfortunately with chances also being spurned at both ends. 

The game ended 3-2 to Finchfield which marks the 2nd team's first loss of the season so far in their 19th appearance. While the end of a great run, this does show what a great season the team have had on their way to securing successive promotions and title wins. 

Man of the match votes were well spread from some good performances from various members of the team but ultimately went to Sykes who was not only stepping up from the 4th team but showed some fantastic play, skills and attitude. This was a great example of how the youngsters at the club are progressing, with both Dhanjal and Sammy Brazier adding to their numerous appearances for the 2s this season on the day as well. 

Next week provides the final game of the season at home to Bridgnorth 2s in the local derby at St George’s. 

Goals: Jon Cook, Gareth Hawkins
Assists: Owen Shave, Sean Huffer
Cards: Tom Jones and Tom Bullock (yellows)
MOTM - Josh Sykes
DOD - Nathan Capes