Winning Start as Team WoW Edge Jess' Giants

Team WoW 3
Jess' Giants 2

(Bryan, Gale, Parrott)

Team WoW's 2014 campaign got of to a winning start tonight, despite missing key players Andy Thompson (ankle) and Jordan Scott (mild cough). Iain Koolhof made his long awaited return for the club after at least 2 seasons away from the game, while winter signing Tim Parrott was cleared to play by medical staff, despite arriving from his European transfer yesterday. A reinvigorated Rick Nettlefold took to the court as first choice keeper, replacing Team WoW stalwart Michael Riske between the posts.

The boys got off to a bright start, dominating play for the first 5 minutes, and soon had the ball in the back of the net, a neat passing move ending at the feet of Jonathon Bryan for a tap-in. The opposition soon found their feet however, and crafted a number of chances that called upon Nettlefold's reflexes. The energetic keeper was up to the challenge, producing a number of fine stops.

Midway through the first half, Jess' Giants equalised - after a succession of saves from Nettlefold and some frantic action in the box, the ball bounced out to the edge of the area where an opposition player was waiting to chip it in, the shot catching the defence unaware.

Another fine passing move saw Team WoW take the lead into half time. Alex Kidd was instrumental, playing a one-two with Bryan from the back before setting up the chance for Parrott, who opened his Team WoW account for 2014 with a clinical finish.

Phil Gale opened the scoring in the second half as Team WoW looked to push on, his fine strike to the bottom corner unstoppable. Jess' Giants pulled one back with 5 minutes remaining but Team WoW held on for a valuable win.

Injured star Sol Foster, watching from the stands, was impressed with the side's performance. "They scored some lovely goals tonight, and showed resilience in defence when pressed at the end there. Obviously if I'd been fit I would have put a lot more goals away, but its a good win", he may or may not have told journalists in a press-conference post match.