After playing league leaders Bridgnorth Town seven days ago, Wulfs played host to a Shawbury United side who were on the back of a ten game winning streak in all competitions.

Shawbury opened up with all the confidence of an in-form side and Wulfs were having to give their all just to clear the ball out of their own penalty area.

Wulfs were given a let off as early as the 3rd minute when Micky Brown broke behind their defence but was adjudged marginally offside and were then grateful to keeper Danny Tipton two minutes later when he saved well after Dave Walbyoff had been put in the clear.

A brief respite came for Wulfs in the 8th minute when Stewart Mason sent forward a great curling ball into space behind the United defence and Andy Mitchell ran across and tried a first time lob that landed safely in the hands of keeper Damien Stevens.

After a backs-to-the-wall opening fifteen minutes, Wulfs were slowly starting to get a grip on the fast attacking play of their opponents and created a good chance in the 20th minute when Ricky Anslow jinked down the left to the by-line and cut back for Chip Southern to control and hit a shot just wide.

Just as it looked as though Wulfs were back in the game, Shawbury took a 23rd minute lead.  New signing Andy Webb earned his side a free kick out wide on the left and then dusted himself down before curling a cross directly in at the back post.

This setback stung Wulfs and Shawbury went close to doubling their advantage four minutes later when a ball cleared out of the area was met with a Dave Walbyoff first time shot that Danny Tipton grasped well under his crossbar.

Wulfs steadied the ship again before being hit by a sucker second goal in the 38th minute.  Full back Adam Smith picked the ball up on half way before carrying forward and unleashing a 25 yard shot that arrowed into the top corner of the net.

If Wulfs were going to get back into the game they needed a goal back quickly and they got that lifeline just two minutes later.  Richard Gummery delivered a good right wing corner and Robin Sheffield rose highest to power a header home.

On the stroke of half time, another Gummer right wing corner was met by the head of Andy Mitchell but he couldn’t keeper his free header under the bar and Wulfs went into the break just one goal behind a team who had outplayed them.

Unusually for Wulfs, their main threat seemed to be from corners and another delivery from Gummery nine minutes into the second half was met from Myles Fenn but again the ball went over the crossbar.

Wulfs were enjoying their first spell of domination and went close again in the 57th minute when a long free kick forward was controlled by James Skedgel who then poked a shot goalwards but keeper Damien Stevens managed to grab the ball close to his line.

After all their efforts to get back into the game, Wulfs gifted a third goal to their opponents in the 58th minute which effectively killed the game.  Micky Brown chased a long harmless looking ball over the top, Danny Tipton came out but only cleared to Steve Giles who returned the ball into the empty net from distance.

Despite almost pulling a goal back immediately when Marc Stallard’s sliced clearance forced a great save from Damien Stevens, Shawbury were comfortable winners and added a fourth in the 71st minute when Tom Reynolds nodded in an Andy Webb right wing corner.