The third XI began the new season, and life under their new manager Dave Griffiths, with a home game against Holly Lodge OB.

The change in management had also brought about sweeping changes in the playing staff with just four players from last seasons regular players (Tristan Stephens, Phil Gardner, Gary Griffiths and the 'messiah' Gareth Lawton) making the squad this term.

Newcomers to the third XI included Sam Cole promoted from the fifth XI, Sean Walkden from the fourth XI and club debutants, youngsters Ant Morrison, Mike Hill and Rich Lovegrove.

Wulfs dominated the first twenty minutes but failed to convert the few chances that came their way before the game evened out.

The all important break through came just before half time when Andy Weblin's header dropped in behind the visitors defence and Ant Morrison raced through before chipping the onrushing keeper.

This goal knocked the stuffing out of Holly Lodge and Wulfs extended their lead early in the second half.  Gareth Lawton played a ball into the left channel where Morrison collected before cutting inside and firing into the roof of the net.

In the sixty-ninth minute Sean Walkden forced the keeper into a great save but, unfortunately for him, the ball rebounded off the bar and Sam 'Sniffer' Cole despatched the loose ball in true Cole fashion.

The fourth goal has probably sewn up the club's goal of the season for 2004/05 due to the fact that it contained persistence, bravery, skill and technique.  Gareth Lawton hounded four defenders before sliding in with a crunching tackle to win back possession.  Where others may have thought they had done enough at that point, Lawton bounced back to his feet, looked up to see the keeper marginally off his line and left him flat footed with an inch perfect thirty yard chip which sent the above average crowd into tears of delight.

The icing on the cake came twelve minutes from time when a ball over the top of the defence left the opposition pleading for an offside and Morrison to round the keeper to complete an excellent hat-trick on debut.

A great start to the season for Dave Griffiths and his young third XI side coincided with an influx of women flooding into the Memorial Ground to admire the form of one G. Lawton.

Final score: Old Wulfrunians 5  Holly Lodge OB 0.