Wulfs opened up their defence of the JW Hunt Cup with a thoroughly entertaining 5-4 win at home to fellow West Midlands League side Cradley Town.
In an explosive opening 25 minutes, both sides produced some scintillating attacking football with Wulfs edging into a 3-2 lead.
Graham Ashton gave the home side a 9th minute lead and Chris Rabone doubled it six minutes later following good set up play between Mark Danks and Andy Mitchell.
Cradley hit back with a goal of their own when Sean Williams finished off a good quick break and they went close to levelling a minute later when Stanford Hepburn broke the offside trap and rounded the keeper before firing over from a narrow angle with the goal gaping.
Wulfs restored their two goal advantage when Jake Sedgemore fired home a 22nd minute free kick but Cradley hot back again three minutes later when Matt Bailey converted from close range after Marc Evans had saved Williams’ fierce shot.
The game finally settled down although Danks went close shortly before the interval when he fired just wide.
Wulfs extended their lead two minutes in to the second half after a Rabone mazy run into the area was halted illegally and Danny Crudgington fired home the resulting penalty.
Cradley refused to lie down and pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Richard Thomas-Robinson drove at the Wulfs back line before sliding a pass through for Williams to fire home.
Williams was then presented with a great chance to equalise when Bailey’s long range shot deflected into his path but he fired wide and this proved costly as Wulfs made it 5-3 eight minutes from time. Crudgington provided a defence splitting ball for Mitchell to run on to and slot past the keeper.
Cradley still wouldn’t give up and pulled another goal back four minutes before the end when Bailey converted from the spot but an equaliser proved to be a step too far and Wulfs held on.
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