Hounslow Wolves XI v West Drayton

2nd October 2022

Hounslow Wolves XI 4-3 West Drayton

With the 1s experiencing pitch issues, the XI were able to showcase their positive start to the season in front of Chairman and Club captain along with some other club personalities, hosting last season Division 1s West Drayton. Having lost to West Drayton Reserves last time out, this was going to be another huge step up for the XI. Despite the now infamous “ XI 2-0 wobble”, the team yet again showed a huge change in character and managed to leave with a hugely well deserved victory, taking the second string team to joint top of the table!

As per usual, XI arrived early and after being briefed by gaffa Deano for a slight formation change, the team set to business early much as they have in the previous 2 games and all of pre season.Despite missing Dabeer, Andre and Kieren, the team shows why squad depth is vital with Bagga, Aiden and Tony all stepping in and performing well. After a close first 30 minutes, Abdulmajid stabbed home after some pin ball in the box to hopefully give XI momentum. So it proved with warrior Marcus doubling the lead with a cool finish after some nice football on the edge of the box. Marcus yet again showing why he will be a huge asset to the teams title push, up and down the wing with some hard tackles and composed headers. An excellent start to the season again from the man mountain.

But despite the excitement of a half time lead, thoughts soon turned back to last season. On 8 separate occasions, XI were 2-0 up at half time, failing to win any at full time. But this is a different era – this is a different animal. The team talk was simple – we aren’t going back to that place, we go out hard again and we finish the job.

The half time gave a different result......an EVEN WORSE result! 47 minutes at 12 seconds on the clock and XI found themselves yet again 2-2. The silence was deafening. How is this happening again? However alongside the new mentality of the team is a new composed management mindset. There would previous be panic, mindless substitutions and panic. Those days are over. We know how good the team is, and we know what they can do. Small changes and a belief in the system will show its class. Proof of that is moving “Smash” Ash out to the left wing for the season and keeping him there. A powerful run and cross in the 65th minute resulted with a slice into the WD net, giving XI a 3-2 lead. The first time we have managed to get back on top after losing the lead but the joy was short-lived with another XI achilles heel, conceding from corners resulted in a back post header and the score levelled at 3-3.

Another difference this season is the addition of “Terrier” Tush . He has already proven a handful over pre-season and yet again, releasing him was the difference. Much with a lot of young players trying to coach them into what the club needs, along with nurturing the raw talent is always tricky.  On a day when Tush had been quiet by his standards, he was finally unleashed on the 80th minute and after some powerful running, finished calmly sending the ultras in attendance wild, giving the XI a 4-3 lead. This time they held on and for the 3rd week in a row, came off the pitch after an excellent performance. Despite XI now scoring 15 goals in 3 games , nearly half as much as they didn’t for the entire last season, a special mention must be made to the defensive side. With a holding midfielder, the back 4 have been instrumental to the start of the season and with consistency and some new leaders, we have a strong foundation and trust to start building from. New man Harps is a prime example, playing a huge rock in the performance along with having some excellent headers at goal, including 2 disallowed was quite rightly named MOTM.

The league has started well, and with County Cup next weekend, the XI aim to do better than their 1st round knockouts in all 3 cups last season.

MOTM

Harps