Wulfs throw away two goal lead

Pantomime season came early as Wulfs, sponsored by Shifnal Environments Safety Ltd, opened up a two goal lead against Ellesmere Rangers in the first eleven minutes and then conceded three in a crazy opening half hour.

The pre match team talk was about how Ellesmere would be slow starters and this proved spot on as Wulfs took an 8th minute lead. James Skedgel carried the ball forward, exchanged passes with Robbie Hubball and slid a fine ball down the line to Fraser Houston who crossed in low for Dave Hayhurst to sweep home at the near post.

The lead was double in the three minutes later when Simon Hardle delivered a good right wing corner and Fraser Houston climbed highest to power home a header for his first Wulfs goal.

Unfortunately, with their judgement clouded by this blistering start, Wulfs forgot to take heed of the fact that the opposition were going to get better as they picked up the pace of the game and Ellesmere made them pay big style.

In the 14th minute James Henderson delivered a pin-point cross field pass to Andy Webb who cut in before hitting a low shot which Tim Tipton blocked but Jamie Evans was on hand to fire home the loose ball.

Wulfs had an opportunity to immediately restore their two goal lead when Chip Southern delivered a left wing cross into the area but Myles Fenn couldn’t keep his header down when unmarked ten yards out.

They were to pay a high price when Ellesmere equalised in the 25th minute. A high hanging free kick caused problems in the Wulfs area and as the ball dropped Jamie Evans swivelled and hit a low shot into the corner of the net.

Ellesmere’s marvellous comeback was complete three minutes later when following a swift counter attack. A Wulfs corner was cleared out to the edge of the area where Jamie Evans set off on a quick break before squaring for the supporting Andy Webb to slot under and advancing Tim Tipton.

Ellesmere had keeper Ed Shone to preserving their lead up until the half time interval. First he showed great agility to push an sliced clearance from his own defender away from the top corner and then did better still to tip away Chip Southern’s long range drive.

Shone had luck on his side deep into first half injury time when Mark Tipton fired a long free kick forward and James Skedgel glanced a header into the net but was adjudged offside.

Wulfs came out for the second half fired up and went close when Fraser Houston sent a header over the bar and Simon Hardle had a shot tipped over the bar. Ellesmere were still dangerous on the break, however, and Andy Webb went close to extending their lead only for Stewart Mason to clear off the line.

Jamie Evans then twice went close to completing a hat-trick, first dragging a shot wide and then forcing Tim Tipton into a good save when clean through.

Ellesmere had a player sent off in the 72nd minute when Steve Evans was dismissed for a second bookable offence but they held out the final 18 minutes with relative ease although Chip Southern did fire a shot just wide of the post in the final ten minutes.

After being two goals up, the end result was very disappointing for Wulfs.