CHALLENGE CUP
Thirsk 3 v Wolviston Juniors 5
This was a key game for Wolviston. Not only for their progression into the quarter finals,but as a boost to their confidence since their recent points deduction by the F.A.
The first half saw a determined Wolviston side pressing for an early goal after some equally determined pressure from Thirsk in the first ten minutes. As Wolviston settled to some good passing football, a break into the Thirsk goalmouth saw some short passing between Richardson and Brogan, who shot low and hard from the edge of the box and made it 0-1. Only two minutes later, Richardson scored from a free kick, with a similar low strike to take Wolviston two up.
As the half progressed Wolviston were clearly the better side, but at times allowed the opposition too much space in midfield and suffered the consequences after 34 minutes when a goalmouth scramble saw another low shot powered into the Wolviston net and at half time it was 1-2.
Wolviston were in for a shock in the first minute of the second half as a Thirsk attack penetrated the defence quickly and powered home an equaliser that made the lads sit up and take notice. Thirsk’s tails were up and they forced Wolviston to take stock and not be too confident. Wolviston struck again the 57th minute with a string of good passes that saw Wilkie drive forward through right midfield, striking a superb shot from 25 yards at a difficult angle and beating the keeper to take it to 2-3.
The game was dominated by Wolviston with some close, but unfulfilled opportunities to wind up the game and in the 75th minute, Thirsk were gifted enough space to score confidently and bring extra time at 3-3.
Extra Time
Wolviston came out with confidence and aggression and after 5 minutes Richardson struck again with a crisp header from a superb cross by Ritchie to make it 3-4. A further break after 12 minutes saw Richardson score again as he was played on-side by a lone defender, when he rounded the keeper after an inch perfect pass by Brogan.
Wolviston continued the pressure as Thirsk faltered and should have put several more away, but the final score of 3-5 saw Wolviston making hard work of a game they largely dominated.
Match Report by Mike Brogan.