Hounslow Wolves XI v Inter SFC

12th December 2021

Hounslow Wolves XI 2-1 Inter SFC

In front of the biggest crowd of the season, Wolves XI took to Hanworth Airparcs to face the much improved Inter SFC. With the first team having a free week, the XI were well supported and the pressure was on to maintain the undefeated streak. 

With almost 30 boys to pick you from, gaffa Deano had an embarrassment of riches to pick from. Despite a few absentees, Wolves lined up with arguably their most experienced and talented line up to date. Wolves gave minutes to first team regulars Vik, Rudy and Killian giving the back line and even more mean look, despite the impressive record already this season.

Compared to 10 weeks ago when Wolves went down 3-2 to the young Inter SFC side, Wolves are a new team - full of confidence, spirit and drive. The talk before the game however was when are Wolves going to put a team to the sword? When will they show more than just passion and show the skill that we see in training every week. There was enough quality today certainly.

We spoke at length about the importance of imposing ourselves on games now.  Being faster, stronger and quicker to every single ball. Hitting hard. Taking man and ball. Shooting hard. We are still a weak team and this had to change. Inter are no mugs, and we knew this would be a tough game.

After a firm intro by the ref, we realised out intentions may not go to plan. Starting 3-5-2, we boasted a back 5 that even the Krays would fear - Marcus, Vik, Mo, Jagz and Rudy…..ruthless and aggressive the entire game. The ref did all he could to stop our determination but it didn’t work.  We had quality in attack and thought this would be the week to set the league alight – especially Infront of the ultras who travelled down from all over Hounslow.

The team talk worked and yet again Wolves started like a train. Attack after attack. This time winning headers from crosses, balls smashing the post from long range shots. This was what we had been waiting for. Despite this we struggled to break down the resilient Inter  for the first 30 minutes, but didn’t let off. Nikhil picked up the ball on the right hand side and started jinking one way and the other. He didn’t really seem to break stride but turned 2 players inside out. Nothing was really on, but he somehow struck the ball with the outside of his foot past the on form keeper. Probably Wolves XI’s best goal of the season, I don’t think too many people realised how good it was due to the shock. Wolves 1-0 up.

Inter crafted out 1 or 2 chances, but Killian never looked in danger. Nikhil grabbed another well taken goal 10 minutes after some good work from Garcha, and finally Wolves were doing what they have threatened for weeks.

However, what should have been a celebration was yet again marred by poor officiating. We all appreciate how hard it is to referee, but he did himself no favours. 6 yellow cards isnt a fair reflection of the game, and on the stroke of half time with the Inter striker being a good 2 foot offside, the referee allowed a well taken volley to stand giving Wolves yet another nervy 2nd half. 2-1 Wolves at half time. 

Deano decided to change to 4-4-2, replacing Bharat, Majid and Mo with Ranveer, Prince and Gurj. We created more natural width and Gurj proved a constant threat but Inter sensed they could pull of a shock victory. They continued to break the lines but were never able to get through the back 4 and keeper. Wolves played the best football they have played this season, against probably one of the better teams they will play. Good wing play, hard tackles , lot of shots. The 2nd half was a tense affair but no team was able to capitalise and Wolves secured a 6th week undefeated.  It could have been more comfortable but a win is a win. Against teams over the past 4 weeks, this could have been 6 or 7

Some players really stood up today and showed what they were about. Rudy never stopped up and down on the left. Marcus is slowly growing back into the player we all knew he would be. Raj Hans has grown into one of the first names of the teamsheet and Gurj showed why he must be considered every week. The defence of Mo, Vik and Jagz were faultess but MOTM has to go to the returning Jags. He is a unit. A nightmare to play against. 

We have 1 game left of the year, and a result could see Wolves end the year 2 points off the top. Who would have seen this after the first 3 weeks. The depth is vast, the spirits are high and the quality is really shining through. This is what its all about 

MOTM

Jags