Wulfs pegged back by Darlaston

Wulfs first home game of the season saw them square up to the team they faced no less than five times last season, Darlaston Town.

In an even opening quarter of an hour Oli Meanley went close to connecting with a Robbie Hubball driven corner for Wulfs and Dennis Robinson shot wide for Darlaston before Leon Taylor had the best chance of the opening exchanges when he latched on to a ball over the top but screwed a shot wide under pressure from James Skedgel.

It was Wulfs who broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Ian Perry intercepted a pass and fed the ball to Andy Mitchell who cut inside his man before drilling a left foot shot into the far corner of the net.

Darlaston hit straight back and went close to claiming an immediate equaliser, first when Leon Taylor nipped in to loop a header just wide and then when Neil Knight hit a curling shot just over the bar.

At the other end Steve Rich forced a good low save from keeper Chris Smith.

After Wulfs had dominated the early stages of the game Darlaston were now beginning to get on top and grabbed an equaliser in the 39th minute.

A free kick from the left saw Neil Knight rise highest and his header found his way into the net via a small deflected and the inside of the post to take the teams into the break on level terms.

Wulfs came out for the second half in more determined fashion and went close to regaining the lead when Chip Southern had a curling left foot shot saved under the bar and Mark Tipton delivered a wicked free kick across the face of the goal but no-one could get the all important touch on it.

The second goal Wulfs deserved came in the 71st minute. Richard Gummery, who had come on as a 65th minute replacement for the injured Ian Perry, fed the ball down the line to Steve Rich who back heeled it into the path of Andy Mitchell who had one touch before firing a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Richard Gummery, who was having a big impact on the game since his introduction, went close to extending the lead ten minutes from time after he won possession before firing a shot towards the top corner only for Chris Smith to push it round the post.

This fixture had a history of throwing up late goals and this was to be no different as Darlaston grabbed an equaliser six minutes from time.

A free kick from the left was headed clear to the edge of the area where substitute Craig Thomas drilled a shot through the crowded goalmouth and into the bottom corner of the net.

There was still time for both sides to go close to grabbing an equaliser.

First, Wulfs’ Oli Meanley shaved the post with a diving header from a corner and then Darlaston’s John Reeves fired wide after finding himself in the clear.

Wulfs next game sees them travel to Goodrich on Wednesday 22nd August 7.45 kick off.