Wordsley had another mixed and certainly eventful month with the team recording convincing victories against Bilbrook West and Sedgley Scorpions West, losing to CS Colts, drawing against top of the table Old Wulfs and completing the most perfect and dramatic comeback against Wrens Nest.

After Wordsleys disheartening defeat against Bilbrook East, the club travelled back to the same destination to take on struggling Bilbrook West. With both teams low on confidence and in need of three points, the game was tight, overly scrappy in parts. Whilst Wordsley dominated possession without creating any meaningful chances. As the full time whistle approached Wasps were given a lifeline as Bilbrook’s central defender inexplicably raised his hands in the box from Skye Sykes corner. With the whole crowd focused on her, Sykes was as cool as ice and slammed the penalty into the bottom corner. This then gave Wasps a surge of life and within a minute of the restart they doubled their lead. Some good work by the tireless Shane Walker retreived the ball and instantly floated the ball into the box where Sykes was on hand to poach hers and Wasps second of the game. With seconds remaining, Bilbrook refused to give up and grabbed a consolation with the last kick of the game.

With Wasps back to winning ways, they had the luxury of entertaining bottom of the league Sedgley Scorpions West. This was the first time Wordsley had played a league game at home since their first game of the season against Forest Falcons. Dave Worley and Andy Arnold tried to instil in the players that even though Sedgley were indeed bottom of the table that they should not underestimate their opposition. With the message firmly in the players minds, Wasps flew out of the blocks and within minutes Camron Skidmore had put Wasps 1-0 up with a fine right footed shot into the roof of the net. Scorpions tried to respond but Lee G and James McRory-Aston were assured and solid and when they were rarely beaten the figure of Ben Hancox was unbeatable. With the team dominating the game, one goal became two. A superb drilled cross from captain Skye Sykes was emphatically finished by midfielder Josh Mason. As half time approached wordsley unacceptably switched off and Sedgley produced a glorious chance from their striker who delightfully placed it past the on rushing Hancox. At half time, the team were told to put the game beyond doubt and just like they did in the first half, Wasps reacted first to error in defence by Sedgley and Skidmore took full advantage to double his tally. This goal ensured the three points were coming Wordsleys way and two late goals firstly through Sykes then the ever battling Regan Pinches who grabbed his first goal of the campaign.

After taking making points in their last two games, Wordsley were on their travels AGAIN to the talented CS Colts. With goalkeeper Ben Hancox injured and defender James McRory-Aston been late, managers Worley and Arnold had to tweak the team originally picked with Matt Hughes dropping into goal and Josh Mason lining up at the back alongside Lee G. With finding the destination difficult, the club were unable to warm up properly and CS Colts profited from this. After ten minutes, Wasps found themselves 2-0 down and having to withstand wave after wave of attacks from Colts. After some stern words at half time, Wasps finally got into their groove and bossed the second half however, with all their work, their final ball was poor and chances were limited. With five minutes left, the referee gifted Wasps and penalty after the combative Daniel Street was fouled in the penalty box. Up stepped penalty king Skye Sykes who stroked the ball into the top corner. With Wasps sensing a point was for grabs. they pushed and threw everything at Colts who in the end had to thank their goalkeeper who didn’t just make one, made THREE world class saves and ensured they took maximum points.

With all mini soccer teams have rememberance Sunday off, the following week, Wordsley travelled to Wrens Nest. With the team previously meeting in the Dudley Town tournament, Wasps were fully aware of what was awaiting them prior the start of the game. As the game got underway, with the welsh wizard Frazer Hamilton available for selection and new signing Kai Del Kiffin on the bench, the management were confident of grabbing victory. Wordsley started the game brilliantly, their free flowing football was tearing Wrens Nests’ defence to piece but as in previous games, their was no cutting edge in the final third. And to make things worse, Wasps incredibaly found themselves 2-0 down at half time after in what would you call ‘smash and grab’ goals. With Wordsley understandably shellshocked, the management told the players to keep going and show them how are the better team. And as the referee blew for the second half, the most memorable of second halfs began. First, captain Skye Sykes pounced on a loose ball in the ball after Del Kiffins’ shot was blocked to smash home and make it 2-1. As the clock ticked down, Wasps continued to press and grabbed an equaliser through the persistant work of Danilel Streeet whose effort rolled under the keepers legs and trickled into the net. And to cap of a memorable comeback, with 10 seconds remaining, Sykes and Shane Walker produced a well worked and clever short corner which resulting in the ball falling the Sykes who lashed a fierce cross which eluded everyone and flew into the net. The players, the management, the fans were jubilant and the comback was completed. As Wrens Nest restarted the game, the referee blew his whistle and Wasps had created a part of history which will live long in the memory.

On the rollercoaster of last week, the last week in November saw the club travel away for the eigth time this season to top of the table Old Wulfs. Wulfs, who had won their last six on the spin including the demolition of 4th placed Wombourne 4-0 in their previous fixture were in top form but Wasps were not to be intimidated. After realising what this fixture meant in regards to the table and the season, Wordsley set up in a defensive 3-2-1 formation looking to counter attack and the decision paid off. The back three of Josh Mason, James McRory Aston and Matthew Hughes were impecable with Shane Walker, Skye Sykes and Kai Del Kiffin working tirelessly infront them and Ben Hancox commanding in goal. And as half time approached Wordsley deservadly took the lead. Sykes produced a wonderful inswinging corner which missed everyone on the post but Del Kiffin was in the right place at the right time to slot home and ensure Wordsley went into half time infront. Wasps continued to dominate as the second half began but Old Wulfs started to stretch the Wordsley defence with high deep crosses. And halfway through the second half, Wulfs were level. A deep corner was not cleared and after some scrappy play in the six yard box, the ball was poked home. The final ten minutes resulted in some wonderful attacking football from both side but in the dying seconds the best chance fell to Wordsley. Del Kiffin, who was impressive all game, spun the last defender fantastically and sprinted away before crossing for Sykes and Walker who were both free in the box however, neither Sykes or Walker took control of the situation and they unfortunately got in eachothers way and the ball rolled into the keepers hands. The final whistle was blew and Wordsley came away with their heads held high.

After the disappointment of Octbober, Wordsley responded like true champions and if it was not for some unfortunate injuries and decision making, the club would of taken fifteen points out of fiteen but that is football and we will continue to improve. The players are improving in all aspects of the game and with a home game against CS Colts next week, Wasps will be out to ensure that the last time we met that the best team lost…