Wulfs warmed up for their big FA Cup game against Stafford Rangers next week by beating fellow West Midlands League side ShifnalTown2-1 in the FA Vase.
A strong wind made the game difficult for both sides and it was Shifnal who were forced to defend it in the first half.
Shifnal’s problems were further increased when top scorer Chris Henry was forced off through injury early on to be replaced by Gareth Horler.
Despite these difficulties, the visitors were coping comfortably at the back and Wulfs’ first half chances were limited to a 40 yard Danny Crudgington free kick that was tipped over by keeper Dave Maguire and a Ricky Anslow volley over from 10 yards out.
The second half started with Shifnal making full use of the conditions with Raajan Gill forced to tip a high ball over his bar and a string of inswinging corners causing all sorts of problems.
After surviving the onslaught, the game changed in the 53rd minute when Wulfs broke out to open the scoring. Crudgington played an intelligent ball down the left for Anslow to burst past his marker and home in on goal only to be halted by a tackle from behind. With most people expecting a penalty, the referee played a good advantage to allow Ade Bandele to roll the ball into the empty net.
This goal opened the game up and Gill had to tip a Liam Bood free kick over the bar while, at the other end, Anslow outstripped his marker before firing a shot wide of the far post.
Nathan Rose-Laing then went close for Wulfs when he headed Chris Rabone’s cross just wide but the game changed again as Shifnal struck a 72nd equaliser when Liam Bood fired home from just inside the area.
Parity lasted just 5 minutes as Wulfs regained their lead when Crudgington’s corner was powerfully headed home by an unmarked Dave Asbury.
Wulfs saw out the final 13 minutes fairly comfortably and almost extended their lead when Rose-Laing flicked Rabone’s low cross across the face of goal but just wide of the far post.
A trip to Midland Alliance side Heath Hayes now awaits Wulfs in the second qualifying round.
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