The morn was spent at 2 nature reserves, broken only by a good breakfast, a coffee and all with the best company ever (my missus). The second reserve saw us find a new plant gall, soak up some rays and discover a bee's nest. Of course, being the ever-nosey naturalist, I had to have a look at the buzzers abode and duly got my ear stung. It throbbed like buggery and began to swell as the day progressed - I ended up looking like a lop-sided elephant who had been out in the sun for far too long. The swelling and the throbbing though did have me pondering the prospect of dipping my todge in the said nest of aggravation - a new form of natural Viagra may be hitting the shelves of a chemist near you very, very soon. If those who are brave enough to partake start passing honey, then there will be no extra fee - sweet success for all I'd say.
And so, with a tingling lobe, a couple of good lists had, we headed to this new ground, purchased a brew, some choccy and crisps and sat in the sun at pitchside. I completed a cryptic crossword and my good lady had a read, before we knew it the teams were out and we had to shuffle off the solar-soaked baize and adopt out viewing positions proper.
The ball got rotating, my pen was produced along with some tatty torn paper upon which I strove to make some notes. Instantaneously the guests blew forth like a horde of diahorrea sufferers looking for a place to shit. The ball was passed with haste, No 11(Lewis Holdham) was suddenly in position, chanced an early punt and bagged the first goal of the game, all to the dismay of the unsettled resident squad. The Wolves lads attempted to immediately counterpunch but the apical side-footed attempt by No 9 (Luke Georgiou) was not the way to do it.
Abbey Hulton were still in a state of goal-scoring arousal but were caught with their conkers exposed (watch out, Huw Edwards may be about) as the home No 2 (Khalil Harrison) knocked a sugar-sweet curveball down the wing that No 11 (Declan Riley) gladly accepted. The frontman made haste, had a pop, the outcome, a placed shot lacking true direction and failing to dampen down any footy-based erections.
The hosts came again, a free-kick was earned on the edge of the box but the dire delivery led to a swift breakaway that saw Holdham place to No 9 (Kieran Brown) who set his sights and fired home. This was an early double whammy that had the home pack reeling. As if this wasn't enough, moments later the visiting tribe were marauding once more with numerous runners dragging the opposition this way and that way. Space opened, No 4 (Benjamin Shirley) received, had time to shoot and bury and create a real uphill struggle for the gold and black clad squad.
A period that was more balanced saw the hefty home No 3 (Ronee Hendricks) have a pop from range that was not too far from the onion bag. Abbey Hulton responded with much hustle and bustle that saw a few moments of panic in the opposing box but with danger eventually jumped upon. And then we had a water break (no pissing involved of course).
The action began soon after, Wolves won a free kick that No 10 (Craig Bannister) sent forth with the Hulton unit defending well. A gratis hoof came for the guests next after Harrison for the hosts fell over the ball like a clumsy clot and put his mitt on the globe. Brown had a crack with a deflection had and the keeper reading matters to duly collect with ease.
The half was already winding down. Abbey Hulton continued to play the Invaders From Mars role and probe away with deliberate intent. Wolves were unwilling victims and looked to make a mark of their own with Hendricks sending forth a scuffed shot that was almost knocked home by the late arriving Riley - the latter bod was just a little too late on the scene.
As the half-time score looked set in stone the resident Harrison gained possession, fumbled and bumbled his way through a pack, rode several tackles in a quite unorthodox way and somehow bagged a goal after taking a most hopeful punt. This now added an extra dimension to a game that was looking all done. It was a ruddy good effort too.
Prior to the sable-clad gent in the middle wobbling his pea (kinky blighter) No 10 (Matthew Ward) for the leading team was sin-binned (now where is the sense in that) and the hosts had one last angled hoof that was crap. 45 minute period done, there were still points to play for.
We stayed put for the break, it had been a long day so a check of other scores, a swill of some refreshing liquid and a chat was had. Our pre-match predictions had already gone down and around the u-bend of hopelessness - we are consistent if nothing else.
Half two began with the sun still dazzling. No 16 (Jamarley Rouse) for the hosts got stuck in and tested the opposing mitter who did well to block. The same team pushed and gushed with added fervor and a long ball came that saw Harrison gather, enter the box and be tumbled. No 10 (Craig Bannister) stepped up to do the honors and walloped the ball into the bottom corner. The hosts were now full of life, vigor and belief, they came on again, a lengthy ball with 2 players chasing was the outcome but they were ultimately denied by a quick off the mark keeper.
The gathering impetus by the trailing unit was very impressive with most of the play now taking place in Abbey Hulton's defensive half. Time ticked on and a goal needed grabbing but the away team gradually got back into matters. They survived a few semi-scares and then, from a seemingly innocuous position they swept forth with a ball finding Brown who shot on the turn and found the top corner of the meshing. It was a glorious strike and surely sent his team into the final flourishes with all 3 points secure.
The latter stages saw the hosts lose cohesion, get worked up and allow Abbey Hulton to dictate. Before the final whistle salt was rubbed in the wound when a swift break and cross saw Brown tap home and kill the result stone dead. Time was called, some silliness and foul behaviour was observed, we pootled off and left them to it - life is too short to waste on piffle and there are far more important matters in the world. Man of the Match went to Abbey Hulton's No 9 (Kieran Brown) who went home with a hat-trick of goals, a good work out under his belt and confidence high - he could have no complaints.
We decided to go for another walk after the game and see what we could see, you gotta get the most out of these 24 hour days tha' knows.
FINAL THOUGHTS - So, 2 teams in the embryonic stages of a new season and questions answered and some remaining to be solved. Wolverhampton Sporting Community are with no points after 3 games and for me, look like a side who could find themselves in deep trouble before half the season is through. Discipline needs attention, the width of play needs expanding and work on positional awareness is of paramount importance. They may address these matters and turn a corner in good time but there is a glut of games ahead and rest assured, some teams will be adrift before they know it. The positives are that there are a couple of players in the mix around which a good unit can be built. Abbey Hulton looked good in parts today but, and this is a big but... the opposition allowed them to look good and so a false reading may be the outcome. At times though the passing was sharp and the work-rate throughout was of a good standard. Again, several players, if retained will keep them in good shape and if I was a gambling man I would maybe have this lot for a top 10 finish (or maybe higher). One thing though, as neutrals we enjoyed the visit and were entertained - Non-League is the real deal.
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