United twice lead against the Herons but in the end the points were shared for the second time in 2 games.
The weather was decent but the beginnings of “Betha” were starting the make it a little gusty at the beginning of the game. United will have been positive from the game on Tuesday having themselves fought back to draw at Coleshill Town and could have won the game in the dying moments.

Wulfrunians started the game well and it was an end to end first 15 minutes, with both sides having chances to open the scoring. The Blues could have taken the lead after just 2 minutes, but Jermain Palmer couldn’t keep his shot down and fired over the bar from a Anderson cross.

Moments later it was Theo Smiths chance on goal, after good work down the left the ball came across to Smith who having dodged 2 tackles hit the ball from just outside the box. The ball took a huge deflection which took all the pace out of the shot and the visitors keeper collected.

United had a blow after just 8 minutes, last season’s player of the season Ross Parker picked up a back injury very early on and couldn't shake it off. He went down and after receiving lengthy physio treatment attempted to play on. Unfortunately for him and the Blues he had to be replaced. It isn't clear how long he will be missing but United will miss his ability in both ends of the pitch.
The visitors had a great deal of pace in the midfield and attack and was causing United to sit a little further back than they would have liked, they also chased every ball no matter how lost the cause was. It was this persistence that avoided many set-pieces that United are so strong at.

United took the lead from a very good move in the 35th minute, started and finished by Hollis, the midfielder picked the ball up in the centre circle before putting Jemain Palmer in down the right wing. Palmer laid the ball of to Baofo who sent in a perfectly placed cross. Hollis had made up the ground and headed the ball into the top left corner from 10 yards.

The match became a stop start affair until the end of the 1st half with both sides holding a high offside line and one or two niggley fouls. The referee handled them well and tried to get the game started as quickly as possible. As the half was brought to a close manager Palmer must have been reasonably pleased with how his side was playing after scoring and restricting the visitors to just 2 or 3 shots.

The 2nd half and United brought on last season’s top goals scorer Rickford into midfield, his aerial ability would help the Blues get the ball forward. As expected the Herons came out fighting in the second and were playing a lot higher up the pitch.

United could have increased their lead in the 57th minute, Anderson and picked up the ball down the left and ran at a defender before reaching the bi-line, he came inside and drifted past 3 defenders before striking the ball, it cannoned of a visitors defender and fell kindly for Hollis, the United midfielder took to long however and a defender had time to hack the ball away before any further shot could be attempted.

Moments later in the 62nd minute Wulfrunians equalised, a move down the left allowed a visitor midfielder space to run into, from around 25 yards he fired a shot in, United keeper Hankey could only parry the ball to the feet of Stevenson who tapped the ball in from 4 yards.

This stretched the game out once more and the visitors began gaining a lot more possession in the United half. They had the 2 great opportunities to take the lead, with Robertson heading over and Hill lobbing the ball slightly to high.

With the game entering the final 8 minutes of the 90 United regained the lead, a corner on the right was sent just over the heads of the United attackers, Anderson had ghosted in at the back and put the ball straight back into the mix. Watkis was quickest to react and flicked the ball with his head into the bottom right corner.

United would have wanted to have defended a lot better from that point but just 65 seconds later the Herons were level. A free kick 35 yards out on the left was taken by substitute Sedgemere, it looked as though he attempted to swing the ball in at pace. The ball unchallenged flew into the net to the keeper’s right and we were level once more.

The visitors could have nicked it right at the end, a goal mouth scramble saw Rose-Lang connect with a low volley which pinballed around the United defence before going out.
Full time United 2-2 AFC Wulfrunians