Hounslow Wolves v Larkspur Rovers Reserves

17th October 2021

Hounslow Wolves XI 1-2 Larkspur Rovers Reserves

Starting XI: Raul (GK), Omar, Jat, Marcus, Adam P, Ash, Gugs, Nikhil G, Ish, Nikhil V, Gurj

Subs: Amar, Sameer, Bhullar

Wolves went into the cup game with a run of poor form, with 3 losses on the bounce, so confidence was at an all time low.

Both teams started off strongly with half chances at either end. The best chance of the opening came to Ish when a good passage of play between him, Gurjit and Nikhil caused the keeper to rush off his line to clear the ball. Ish saw the opportunity to take it early with the long range effort narrowly passing the far post.

Larkspur grew into the game and started to create chances. Their chance came when Adam was beaten on the wing and gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty for a nudge in the back which was put away to make it 1-0 to Larkspur.

Prior to the penalty it was a very even game but with the 1-0 lead, Larkspur had the confidence and created a few more chances. Some last ditch defending from Jat and Marcus kept it at 1-0 going into the half time break.

The second half started very similar to the first with both teams going toe to toe and a lapse of concentration on the Wolves behalf allowed the larkspur winger to break free and a late challenge from Omar meant it was another penalty for larkspur to make it 2-0.

The Wolves management decided to go with two up top and almost immediately the Sameer and Bhullar combination paid off. The high press seemed to work and the Wolves were rewarded with a penalty of their own when Sameer was brought down in the box. Gurjit calmly put it away to make it 2-1 and get his name on the scoresheet for the season. It was an intense finish with 5 minute to play but Larkspur held on for the win and it was all little to late for Hounslow Wolves to find the equaliser.

The Xi’s travel to North London next weekend for the FA Junior cup fixture against Arnos Rangers.

MOTM: Marcus