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Next Match: Saturday 12th April away to Bristol City here

29th March Charlton Athletic 2 (Halford 31, Lita 90) Wolves 3 (Ebanks-Blake 15, 81, Henry 90+5) at the Valley preceded by Meet the Players on 28th here

Mick said the night before - if we can make the playoffs we'll win it and the players certainly seem to believe that.

Must not forget two great saves from Wayne - one world class tip over the bar from a free kick from Halford after 51.  Mick happy; fans happy; better than being at Molineux.

and the Rose of Denmark as a pre-match pub - now featuring London Wolves “Bones” and, meanwhile, Stef and Stoo found Steve Morgan in the boardroom.

Videos click on > symbol to play (videos not loaded)

Almost got Sylvan’s wonder goal                                     

Kevin Kyle hits bar in 93rd                                               

Kevin’s pass to Karl to win the game and into the crowd

Wolves World report http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10307~38404,00.html

Charlton Athletic 2 (Halford 31, Lita 90) Wolves 3 (Ebanks-Blake 15, 81, Henry 90)

In an incredible finish to the game, Karl Henry snatched the winning goal for Wolves almost four minutes into stoppage time after Charlton's Leroy Lita looked to have earned his side a point just seconds earlier.

Twice Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had fired Mick McCarthy's men into the lead with superb individual efforts, and twice the Londoners hit back before Henry's goal gave Wanderers the points that took them back into a play-off position. Jody Craddock kept his place after coming on as a substitute for the injured Rob Edwards in the Queens Park Rangers game in an otherwise unchanged Wolves line-up.   Charlton kicked-off attacking the Jimmy Seed Stand end of The Valley that housed around 1,200 visiting supporters.   An early Michael Gray corner was headed wide by Seyi Olofinjana whilst Neill Collins did well to clear from Lita who would otherwise have been clean through.  Home appeals for a penalty when Collins ran into Lita were waved aside by the referee, and Darren Ambrose hooked a low shot well wide of the target in Charlton's next attack.  Wolves moved into a 15th minute lead thanks to a brilliantly executed goal from Ebanks-Blake. The striker controlled Andy Keogh's low cross and turned as he did so leaving Greg Halford for dead before slamming a left-foot shot past Nicky Weaver from the edge of the box.  A slip by Ambrose gifted possession to George Elokobi who found Matt Jarvis on the left. Gray ran in to meet the winger's centre on the volley but his effort was too high.  Charlton drew level in the 31st minute after a shot from Halford was deflected behind for a corner.  Ambrose's flag-kick travelled to the far side of the area to Jerome Thomas who drilled in a low cross that was dispatched into the corner of the net by Halford. 

Gray almost restored Wanderers lead with an effort reminiscent of his goal at Crystal Palace. His angled shot could have been no more than inches above the angle with Weaver a spectator.  Two minutes before the break the home goal had an amazing escape. Jarvis pushed the ball through to Ebanks-Blake and his angled drive came back off the inside of the far post. The ball rebounded to Henry who only managed to shoot wide of the open goal.

Half-Time: Charlton 1 Wolves 1

There was a chance for Wolves just 20 seconds after the resumption. Jarvis raced down the left flank before cutting into the box and pulling the ball back to Henry who shot over from 22-yards out. But then Wayne Hennessey had to be at his best to deny Halford after Craddock was harshly penalised for a challenge on Chris Iwelumo 25-yards out. Halford's free-kick looked destined for the top corner until the Welsh keeper athletically tipped the ball over the bar.  Gray's long-range drive was comfortably saved by Weaver before Lita twice in the space of two minutes, went close for the home side. First he hit a short cross straight through the six-yard box with no home player available to tap the ball home, then he broke through on goal only to be denied by Hennessey who spread himself to save with his feet.  Darron Gibson came on in place of Gray for the final 20 minutes and then Collins and Jose Semedo went into the book after a brief altercation with the Charlton man appearing to aim a head butt at the Scot who had exchanged words with him.  Home substitute Lee Cook wasn't too far off with a 25-yard drive and then he was booked for clattering into Kevin Foley just after Craddock had been shown the yellow card for persistent fouling.  Freddy Eastwood replaced Jarvis in the 80th minute seconds before Ebanks-Blake restored Wolves' advantage with a stunning goal. He took the ball to the by-line, flicked it through the legs of Paddy McCarthy and ran round the defender before lashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.  Hennessey saved from Luke Varney but, in the second of the four added minutes, he was beaten by Lita who headed home after connecting with Sam Sodje's deep ball into the box.  Kevin Kyle, a late substitute for Ebanks-Blake, saw his header deflected onto the face of the bar following an Eastwood corner.  But the drama wasn't over and Henry won it for Wolves right in front of their delighted supporters when he raced in at the far post to turn home Kyle's low driven cross.

Charlton: Weaver, Thatcher, Sodje, McCarthy, Holland (capt), Ambrose (Zhi 45), Thomas (Cook 64), Iwelumo, Semedo (Varney 83), Halford, Lita.

Unused subs: Elliot, Gray.  Bookings: Semedo (72 - unsporting conduct (Ed - should have been sent off it was a head butt on Neill Collins), Cook (80 - foul), Lita (90 - taking shirt off after goal).

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Elokobi, Henry (capt), Craddock, Collins, Jarvis (Eastwood 80), Keogh, Ebanks-Blake (Kyle 86), Olofinjana, Gray (Gibson 70). 

Unused subs: Stack, D. Ward. Bookings: Collins (72 - unsporting behaviour), Craddock (78 - persistent fouling), Henry (90 - over celebrating goal).

Referee: K. Stroud. Attendance: 23,187.  (?approx 1500 Wolves)

Wolves 3 (Keogh 45, 90, Ebanks-Blake 67-pen) Queens Park Rangers 3 (Buzsaky 28, Blackstock-pen 49, Leigertwood 79)

A “nou Camp” (slimmed down and in the best form we’ve ever see ) Lee Camp defied Wolves and left us struggling for a point - only gained in the 97th minute by Andy Keogh - who again could have had a hat-trick but a string of fine saves from Lee Camp prevented Wolves from taking all three points and moving into the playoff places. Once again the referee was the centre of attention as he awarded a very dubious pen against Neill (again) and then one to us to even things up when Mancienne caught Matty Jarvis outside the box.  Mind you, Mancienne should have been off a lot earlier as the ref lost control by failing to take action against QPR’s nasty attempts to kick Matt Jarvis out of the game.  The worst part came with the South Bank singing for Freddy Eastwood every time Andy Keogh missed, but, for once he was able to take two equalising chances to shut them up.  Please visit the Wolves match report for pix - they said:

Three times Wolves came from behind to share the spoils with Queens Park Rangers. Andy Keogh's second strike of the game came in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Mick McCarthy's men the point.  Had Keogh's last gasp effort not gone in, it would have been harsh to the extreme on Wolves who had dominated in an entertaining contest during which both teams benefited from controversial penalty awards.
There were two changes to the team that had come from behind to beat Scunthorpe - one enforced with Rob Edwards coming into central defence in place of stomach bug victim Darren Ward, and the other seeing Matt Jarvis retaining his place after he had come on as an early substitute for Darren Potter in the midweek game. The visitors kicked-off attacking the North Bank end  and the first real chance came in the fourth minute when Fitz Hall beat Keogh to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's cross to clear at the expense of a corner. Before the flag kick could be taken the referee's attention was brought to Edwards who was lying in obvious pain just outside the home box. The defender was carried off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Jody Craddock.  Jarvis went on a probing run from deep inside his own half before slipping a pass to Ebanks-Blake whose cross was headed wide at the near post by Keogh.  Mikele Leigertwood was afforded the space to the right of Wayne Hennessey's goal to get in a low shot that flew narrowly wide of the far post.  But, in the 28th minute, Rangers moved ahead after the home defence missed several chances of clearing the ball before Akos Buzsaky ran in to drill a low 20-yard drive to Hennessey's right.  There was an almost immediate response from Wanderers when Ebanks-Blake and Seyi Olofinjana carved out an opportunity for Keogh who fired wide from the right of the Rangers goal.   The Londoners then made a change with former Wolves junior Gavin Mahon coming on in place of R's skipper Martin Rowlands.   With 35 minutes gone Ebanks-Blake's header was fumbled by Lee Camp and when the
Wolves striker regained possession he had the ball taken off his foot by Buzsaky before he could get a follow up shot in.  Jarvis fired into the side netting after he connected with a deflected cross from Keogh before Wolves drew level in the 44th minute.  Michael Gray crossed from the right and Keogh was there at the back post to bury a header into the far corner of the net.

Half-Time: Wolves 1 QPR 1

Sleet and then snow greeted the teams at the start of the new half before Wolves were hit, once again, by a highly contentious penalty decision.  Rangers were awarded a free-kick on the right-hand corner of the Wolves' area and Buzsaky's free-kick appeared to hit the chest of Neill Collins. The referee immediately gave the penalty and an incensed Collins was booked for dissent before Dexter Blackstock sent Hennessey the wrong way from the spot.   Two minutes later Blackstock almost gave QPR a two goal cushion but his volley flew just inches over the bar before Camp made a good stop from Ebanks-Blake who had run onto Olofinjana's through pass.  Ebanks-Blake was fouled in the centre circle by Michael Mancienne but the referee waved play on as Keogh raced clear only to be dispossessed by Hall as he was about to shoot. When the ball next went out of play, Mancienne went into the book.  Both sides then made changes with Zesh Rehman coming on for Rangers in place of Matthew Connolly and, for Wolves, Freddy Eastwood for Gray.  Camp made a double stop when he pushed out an Ebanks-Blake drive and blocked Olofinjana's follow-up before Jarvis went into the book for a challenge on Buzsaky.  Wolves drew level in the 65th minute after another harsh penalty decision. Jarvis went down under a tackle from Mancienne that looked to be outside the box when it was made. Ebanks-Blake made no mistake drilling the spot kick home to level matters.  George Elokobi fired in a cross from the left that flew across the face of goal before Camp made a superb reaction save to block from Karl Henry who had connected Jarvis's low cross.  Another Jarvis centre was a fraction too far in front of Ebanks-Blake and Eastwood, then Leigertwood stunned Molineux by volleying home from just outside the area after latching onto Craddock's headed clearance with just 11 minutes left.  Blackstock was yellow carded for tripping Keogh before Kevin Kyle was sent on in the dying minutes in place of Kevin Foley. There were five minutes of added time during which Camp got down low to save Eastwood's free-kick before a frenetic piece of goalmouth action saw Wolves pulling deservedly level with literally seconds remaining. Keogh pushed a pass forward to Ebanks-Blake who turned and fired in a shot the Camp parried. The striker quickly regained possession and his second effort struck the post bouncing out to Olofinjana who tried to bundle the ball home only for Blackstock to clear off the line.  The ball ran to Eastwood on the edge of the box and he rode two tackles before sliding a pass to Keogh whose angled shot went just inside the far post to give Wolves the point.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley (Kyle 87), Elokobi, Henry (capt), R. Edwards (Craddock 6), Collins, Jarvis, Keogh, Ebanks-Blake, Olofinjana, Gray (Eastwood 60). Unused subs: Gibson, Stack.  Bookings: Collins (48 - dissent), Jarvis (64 - foul).

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock, Buzsaky, Connolly (Rehman 60), Agyemang, Vine, Hall, Leigertwood, Rowlands (capt) (Mahon 32). Unused subs: Ainsworth, Pickens, Balanta.  Bookings: Mancienne (58 - foul), Delaney (72- unsporting behaviour), Blackstock (83 - foul).
Referee: C. Oliver.
 

Tuesday March 18th - rearranged Match Wolves 2 (Gray 57, Collins 82) Scunthorpe United 1 (Butler 5)

We were hit by poor refereeing - from Haywood and his assistant - Scunthorpe scored from a corner that wasn't (but neither was our defence) but saved by the same linesman who had been hopelessly behind play for a couple of offside decisions but who flagged a second goal for Scunthorpe right on half time.  There might not have been anyway back.  Failures to book for handball and fouls were made worse by booking Micahel Gray for an innocuous tackle and shirt pull.  First half we were dire, seemimgly under worse pressure from the 21,000 crowd.   Wayne really had nothing to do, in spite of a lot of Scunthorpe possession.  But Neill Collins, London Wolves' sponsored player,who should share the man of the match award with Michael Gray, was by far the best defender.  Gray was the outstanding Wolf for the first 60 minutes.  No one else was really taking part until Matt Jarvis added some real width - and frightened the Scunthorpe defence.   One hour of stonewalling by Scunthorpe after the appalling defending for their goal left them unable to respond to Michael Gray's great equaliser and Neill's stunning header.  Talk about not "winning pretty" - but why on earth was Darren Potter a starter?

Neill’s outstanding movement for his goal is shown here

Wolves 2 (Gray 57, Collins 82) Scunthorpe United 1 (Butler 5)

One down after just five minutes, Wolves had to battle hard before finally overcoming struggling Scunthorpe thanks to a late headed goal from Neil Collins.  Mick McCarthy named an unchanged team for the visit of the Lincolnshire side and Wolves kicked-off attacking the North Bank end of the ground.  The home crowd were stunned as Scunthorpe moved into a fifth minute lead when the first corner of the game, taken by Grant McCann, was headed home by Andy Butler.  It took a timely clearance from George Elokobi to prevent a second Scunthorpe goal four minutes later as Geoff Horsfield tried to get on the end of Ian Morris's dangerous low cross.  Darren Potter's free-kick from just outside the area was headed wide by Darren Ward as Wolves looked to hit back and then Michael Gray beat two men on a run down the left flank but his low cross was cut out by Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy.   Andy Keogh's industrious run from inside his own half ended with a pass to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake that was intercepted by Murphy before Horsfield went close for the visitors with a long distance effort that skimmed the roof of the net.  Seyi Olofinjana drove a centre across the face of goal before, in the 31st minute, Matt Jarvis was sent on in place of Potter with Wolves moving from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-3-3.  Seconds after Jarvis's introduction he hit a low cross that Gray met well only for his shot to be deflected away by team-mate Olofinjana.  Gray was harshly booked for tugging at Mathew Sparrow's shirt and Martin Paterson soon followed into the referee's notebook for kicking the ball away after conceding a free-kick just before the break.

Half-Time: Wolves 0 Scunthorpe 1

Murphy had to sprint from his box to clear from Keogh who had chased down a long through ball before Sparrow went into the book for a challenge on Jarvis.  Wolves drew level in the 57th minute when Jarvis's free-kick on the left was headed out by a defender but only as far as Gray whose 20-yard volley flew into the net taking a deflection on the way (pictured on Wolves site). Olofinjana almost put Wanderers into the lead two minutes later but Murphy saved the Nigerian's shot after Jarvis had once again provided the centre.  Freddy Eastwood was a substitute for Gray on the hour and he saw his shot deflected wide off a defender after he had latched on to an Olofinjana cross.  A Jarvis free-kick was cleared after Keogh had been fouled just outside the Scunthorpe box, and Eastwood's pass to Ebanks-Blake almost saw Wolves moving ahead but the former Plymouth man's shot smashed against the top of the bar.  Olofinajana's header was cleared off the line by Butler but, from the corner conceded, Wolves finally made the breakthrough to take an 82nd minute lead. Jarvis floated over the flag-kick and in ran Collins to power a header into the corner of the net.   Shortly before the end, Keogh almost grabbed a third but his header was cleared off the line by Jim Goodwin.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Elokobi, Henry (capt), D. Ward, Collins, Potter (Jarvis 31), Keogh, Ebanks-Blake (Kyle 88), Olofinjana, Gray (Eastwood 67).  Unused subs: Jarvis, Eastwood, Gibson, Stack, Kyle.  Booking: Gray (42 - shirt-pulling).

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Crosby (capt), Butler, Sparrow, Baraclough, Goodwin, McCann, Cork, Morris (Weston 78), Horsfield, Paterson (May 74).  Unused subs: Lillis, Hobbs, Hayes.  Bookings: Paterson (45 - unsporting conduct). Sparrow (56 - foul), Murphy (82 - dissent).

Referee: M. Haywood.  Attendance: 21,628.

Saturday March 15th away  Burnley 1 (Akinbiyi 76) Wolves 3 (Olofinjana 14, Gray 16, Ebanks-Blake 56)

Wolves bounced back from the disappointments against Southampton and Preston to register a fine victory over Burnley at Turf Moor with Seyi Olofinjana and Michael Gray scoring early goals to put Mick McCarthy's men in command.

Injury and illness forced four changes to the Wolves starting line-up. David Edwards was injured at Deepdale whilst Jody Craddock and Stephen Elliott both suffered knocks in training. Gary Breen was ruled out after feeling flu type symptoms before the game.  In their places came Olofinjana, Kevin Foley, Darren Ward and Andy Keogh.

Wolves kicked-off defending the away end of Turf Moor and the Molineux fans that had made the trip north had a good view of former Wolf Adi Akinbiyi heading wide following a cross from Kyle Lafferty.  Home skipper Graham Alexander did well to clear a dangerous centre from Ebanks-Blake who, moments later, provided the through ball that led to Wanderers moving into a 14th minute lead.  The striker, playing a lone role up front in a 4-5-1 formation, slipped the ball into the path of Olofinjana who ran past Stan Varga before finishing with a low shot from the edge of the box.  Just two minutes later and the advantage was doubled when Clarke Carlisle's back pass played Gabor Giraly into trouble. The keeper's desperate clearance cannoned off Gray and rolled into the empty net.  Burnley almost reduced the arrears in the 26th minute when Robbie Blake's corner fell to Lafferty whose volley looked destined for the net before it hit a body in the crowded area and bounced to safety.  Then George Elokobi's attempted clearance fell to Alexander who forced a fine save from Wayne Hennessey who pushed behind a rising drive.  James O'Connor was booked for a late challenge on Karl Henry and then Ward was penalised for a nudge on Akinbiyi to the right of the Wolves area. Alexander delivered a probing free-kick into the heart of the box but Olofinjana was on hand to head clear.

Half-Time: Burnley 0 Wolves 2

There was some danger to the visitors' goal seconds after the resumption when Lafferty ran in along the by-line and fired in a low cross that was hammered clear by Foley.  At the other end, after Ebanks-Blake had gone close with a shot on the turn, Kiraly then had to push behind Olofinjana's driven cross at the near post.  Kiraly did well to save at the feet of Gray but the keeper was badly at fault when Wolves went three up in the 56th minute.  Ebanks-Blake exchanged passes with Keogh before hitting a low shot from the 18-yard line that went straight to Kiraly only for the ball to squirm under the Hungarian's body and trickle over the line (pictured on the Wolves site).  Lafferty was booked for fouling Elokobi and then Olofinjana found the unmarked Keogh in the Burnley area but the Irishman's shot flashed wide of the far post.  With 20 minutes remaining Darron Gibson was sent on in place of Gray.  Lafferty's angled drive flew narrowly wide of the far post before Akinbiyi gave the home supporters some hope whenhe lashed the loose ball into the roof of the net after Hennessey had managed to keep out the striker's initial header.  Elokobi was yellow carded for time wasting as Burnley piled forward but the Wolves defence held firm in the dying minutes. Kevin Kyle and Freddy Eastwood were late replacements for Ebanks-Blake and Olofinjana respectively.

Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander (capt), Harley, Carlisle, O'Connor, Gudjonsson (Mahon 56), Akinbiyi, Elliott, Lafferty, Blake (Randall 75), Varga (Unsworth 72).  Unused subs: Jensen, Spicer.  Bookings:O'Connor (38 - foul), Lafferty (66 - foul).

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Elokobi, Henry (capt), D. Ward, Collins, Potter, Keogh, Ebanks-Blake (Kyle 83), Olofinjana (Eastwood 86), Gray (Gibson 70).  Unused subs: Jarvis, Stack.  Booking: Elokobi (79 time wasting).

Referee: P. Walton.  Attendance: 12,749.

Wolves also reported from Mick’s post match conference - You Earn Your Luck

Mick McCarthy has appealed to fans to get behind the team on Tuesday night as Wolves play one of their games in hand.

The boss is anxious that no one expects Scunthorpe to be easily dispatched after Wolves produced form to earn themselves a comfortable 3-1 victory over Burnley this afternoon.
"I don't want 22,000 people turning up thinking that because we beat Burnley it's a foregone conclusion," he said.
"It will be a tough match and I hope everyone realises we need to be together and right on our game.
"We played some good stuff today and deserved to beat Burnley.
"The first goal was terrific, how it was conceived and finished.
"We had a bit of luck with the second but you earn that luck.
"It was Micky Gray's enthusiasm that gave him the opportunity to score.
"Burnley are one of our competitors for a play-off spot and taking three points off them makes a big difference.
"I hope it sends out a message that we are still involved but we got to do it again on Tuesday.
"We've done it away from home and now we've got to do it at Molineux"
The boss had praise for Seyi Olofinjana who returned to the starting line up today.
Mick added: "Seyi came back from the African Nations Cup not playing the way he or I would like. "He was left out but came back today and did well."
*Rob Edwards was injured in the warm-up and replaced on the bench by Matt Jarvis.

Tuesday March 11th Preston North End  2 (Davidson 60 pen, Whaley 81)  Wolves (Keogh 52)

Some pre-match excitement as Michael Kightly is named on the subs bench!  Line up was Wayne Hennessey Neil Collins (RB)  Jody Craddock back Gary Breen George Elokobi.  In midfield Mick sticks with Stephen Elliott Karl  Henry Dave Edwards  Potter Gray and the bench had Andy Keogh, Darron Gibson,  Graham Stack Kevin Foley, plus Michael Kightly(!!) who was really Matt Jarvis so no place for Freddy Eastwood and Preston haven’t been beaten on a Tuesday night match for seven years! Freddy & Kevin Kyle apparently were both ill

Wolves first attack came in the second minute - a great ball from Potter through to Edwards who was one on one with Lonergan who pulled off a great save.  Then Priskin got free but shot straight at Wayne.   End to end continued, with Priskin keeping pressure on Breen and Craddock.  In the 25th Breen got in the way of a shot, the ball broke to Karl Henry and only a deflection stopped Sylvan from scoring.  A minute later Potter made his tradional mistake and gave the ball away on the edge of our area - and most of Preston’s chances were being served up by the Wolves defence. 35th and Wayne made a great save after slipping.
Andy Keogh replaced Dave Edwards at half time - an immediate attack nearly let Preston in, but within 6 minutes Sylvan’s strength distracted the defence and Karl Henry set up Andy for a run on goal and he scored with a great shot from the edge of the area.  The 4-4-2 line up gave us strong domination, but, for the second match running a dodgy penalty enable the opposition to even things up on 60 - the foul given against Jody. This led to another period of strong Preston pressure.  Michael Gray was replaced by Matt Jarvis, and the again ineffectual Elliott was replaced by Darron Gibson.  A few chances, but Preston took the lead through Simon Whaley who drifted across the pitch and wasn’t picked up, and then scored a great goal.  Clearly the ref’s decision - Brown ran into Craddock and threw himself down - changed the match.
Match details to come.
Wolves’ match report is here http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10307,00.html
Preston North End 2 (Davidson-pen 60, Whaley 81) Wolves 1 (Keogh 53)

Preston put a huge dent in Wolves play-off hopes when they came from behind to take the points at Deepdale. Wanderers deserved a point for their efforts but a hotly disputed Callum Davidson penalty proved to be the turning point after substitute Andy Keogh had given the visitors the lead.  Mick McCarthy made three changes to his team with Michael Gray, Darren Potter and Jody Craddock coming in for Kevin Kyle, Kevin Foley and Matt Jarvis.Wolves kicked off attacking the Town end and they could have been one up after just 90 seconds. Potter's through pass put David Edwards clean through on goal but home keeper Andy Lonergan was quickly off his line to block at the midfielder's feet.  Stephen Elliott's long-range effort took a hefty deflection off Youl Mawene but the sting was taken out of the shot allowing Lonergan to collect with relative ease. Preston responded with a 25-yard drive from Tamas Priskin that had plenty of power behind it but Wayne Hennessey didn't have to move to collect the ball.  In the 15th minute, Gray hit a low cross to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake inside the six-yard box. But the striker had his back to goal and the ball was cleared as he tried to turn and get a shot in.  Ebanks-Blake then fired an angled shot through a crowded area with the ball hitting a defender before flying inches wide of the far post.  Sean St Ledger headed onto the roof of the net following a cross from Darren Carter and, with torrential rain falling, Hennessey did well to hold on to a 25-yard drive from Simon Whaley that skidded across the greasy surface.  Craig Sedgwick had a chance of breaking the deadlock but he shot over after a run into the Wolves box. Then Davidson's drive struck Neill Collins and hit the side netting for the first of two consecutive corners from home skipper Paul McKenna. From the second Priskin's overhead kick went straight to Hennessey.

Preston 0 Wolves 0

Keogh replaced Edwards at the start of the second-period with manager McCarthy changing from a 4-5-1 formation to 4-4-2.  The half began in breathtaking fashion with Billy Jones hitting a terrific shot from 30-yards that was just a fraction wide.  Elliott had a chance for Wolves from the right of goal but his shot was blocked and Ebanks-Blake fired wide from the edge of the box.  After Sedgwick had gone close with a long distance shot, Keogh headed narrowly over when he connected with Gray's free-kick.  But it was Keogh that gave Wolves the lead with 53 minutes gone. He took a pass from Karl Henry and beat Mawene before drilling a low shot past Lonergan from the edge of the area (picture on Wolves site - follow link above).  Hennessey made a fine save from Whaley before Preston drew level on the hour with a Davidson penalty awarded after Craddock was adjudged to have fouled Chris Brown who went to ground all too easily.  To say contact was minimal would be an understatement and the angry reaction of the Wolves players was entirely understandable.  Midway through the half, Jarvis and Darron Gibson replaced Gray and Elliott and shortly after his introduction, Gibson forced a diving save from Lonergan.  Nine minutes from time, Preston moved into the lead. Jones found Whaley unmarked just inside the visitors box and he turned to hammer the ball past Hennessey.

Preston: Lonergan, Davidson, Mawene, Sedgwick, Brown, Carter, St Ledger, Whaley, McKenna (capt), Jones, Priskin (Mellor 72).
Unused subs: Hill, Trotman, L. Neal, C. Neal.  Bookings: McKenna (72 - unsporting conduct), Brown 83 - unsporting conduct).

Wolves: Hennessey, Collins, Elokobi, Henry, Craddock, Breen (capt), Potter, D. Edwards (Keogh 45), Ebanks-Blake, Elliott (Gibson 67), Gray
(Jarvis 67).  Unused subs: Stack, Foley.

Referee: J. Moss.  Attendance: 12.090.

 

Tuesday March 4th Wolves 2 (Ebanks-Blake 61, 88) Southampton 2 (Vignal-pen 73, Euell 90)

a truly awful first half - “a rubbish game” said Mick - with the hapless Elliott guilty of losing the ball every time he got it, and wimping out of a challenge which wasted a golden scoring opportunity after only two minutes.  But Elliott was not the only one.  Defensive clearance after defensive clearance from both sides went to the opposition.   Karl Henry's flicks and passes were mistimed and misdirected, Neill Collins, at centre back for a change had a poor half, and Breen was lucky to stay on the pitch after hauling Saganowski back puntuated by high balls to Kyle and S E-B.  Mick's substitutions paid off immediately with the removal of Elliott from the right wing, and Potter replacing Karl in midfield when a long through ball was brilliantly controlled by Sylvan and shot home in spite of the attentions of the two Saints defenders.   Ref Webster did a Rennie and awarded a penalty for Foley merely standing up to the Saints attacker which they duly put away.  Sylvan's tug on the penalty scorer Vignal, though, provoked a kick out and, thanks to the linesman he was sent off.   A period of Wolves domination followed as Saints tried to protect the draw, but George Elokobi - on the night half great and half not so great - sent a great cross over which Andy nodded back and before Freddy could pounce Sylvan had it in the net.  The red card incident lasted a long time and it was no surprise that 4 minutes of extra time was given by the officials.   In the last a foul on Matt Jarvis tackling back went unnoticed by the linesman who instead awarded a corner.   Every player on the pitch knows what Jason Euell can do, so they left him unmarked (well, with lightweight Potter marking him), with no players on the line, to score from the corner.   Neither can we make set plays work, nor, it seems can we stop them working against us.  Schoolboy defending would be an insult to schoolboy football.

Here's how Wolves saw it - please visit the site http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10307~37224,00.html 

A Jason Euell goal deep into stoppage time ended Wolves hopes of a third successive victory after a brace from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had twice seen Wanderers take the lead.  With Mick McCarthy reverting to a 4-4-2 formation for the visit of the Saints, Matt Jarvis returned and there was a start for Kevin Kyle. Kevin Foley was named at right-back with Darren Potter, Michael Grey and the injured the players missing from the side that had started at Colchester.

Before the start an immaculately observed minute's silence was held in memory of former Molineux coach Karl Hoddle who had passed away suddenly at the age of just 40. Inside two minutes Stephen Elliott scooped a shot over after Ebanks-Blake had run onto David Edwards through pass and supplied a low cross.  Wayne Hennessey saved a 20-yard drive from Mario Licka and then the keeper needed two attempts to take a low, driven cross from John Viafara.  Gary Breen was yellow carded (and lucky to escape a red) for tripping Marek Saganowski and, after the free-kick was played back to Inigo Idiakez, the Spanish midfielder blasted his shot into the defensive wall.  Kelvin Davis did well to pluck George Elokobi's swerving centre out of the air, and Ebanks-Blake tried a snapshot from 25-yards out that sailed high over the bar. In the 20th minute Edwards broke into the Southampton box but his pull back went just behind the inrushing Ebanks-Blake and Jarvis.  Idiakez limped off in the 28th minute to be replaced by Euell.  From a Jarvis centre, Kyle nodded down to Ebanks-Blake but Wayne Thomas cleared before the striker could get in a shot.   A disappointing first-half ended with a Jarvis corner that was cleared by the Southampton defence. 

Half-Time: Wolves 0 Saints 0

The visitors changed keepers at the interval with Michael Poke coming on for Davis who had suffered a dislocated finger.  Karl Henry's 30-yard strike hit a defender and bounced to safety before Elokobi needed treatment after talking a bang in the face.   Saints' skipper Andrew Davies was only a fraction too high with a dipping shot from 15-yards before Ebanks-Blake drew ironic cheers from the home fans with a shot that was easily claimed by Poke.   Kyle fired into the side netting from an acute angle just before he was replaced by Andy Keogh with Potter replacing Henry at the same time.   Almost immediately, with 61 minutes gone, Wolves took the lead. Ebanks-Blake took a long through pass from Foley and muscled his way past two defenders before lashing the ball into the net.
Hennessey had to be at his best to turn away Euell's drive from the edge of the box but, in the 73rd minute, Southampton drew level through a controversial penalty.  David McGoldrick looked to be outside the area when he went down under a challenge from Foley. It didn't even look like a foul but the referee pointed to the spot with Gregory Vignal netting the penalty.  In the minutes that followed Licka was booked for time wasting and Vignal for a foul before Southampton were reduced to ten men after Vignal appeared to flick a foot towards Ebanks-Blake and was shown the red card.   Freddy Eastwood, on as a substitute for Elliott, ran past three defenders to the by-line but stumbled as he crossed allowing Poke to gather the ball.  But, in the 88th minute, Ebanks-Blake struck again with what looked like the winning goal. Elokobi fired in a terrific cross from the left and Keogh nodded the ball back for Ebanks-Blake to hook the ball home from inside the six-yard box.   But Wolves were undone in the final of the four minutes of added time when Euell rose unchallenged to head home Licka's corner.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Elokobi, Henry (Potter 60), Collins, Breen (capt), Jarvis, D. Edwards, Ebanks-Blake, Kyle (Keogh 60), Elliott (Eastwood 79). Unused subs: R. Edwards, Stack.  Booking: Breen (10 - foul).

Southampton: Davis (Poke 45), Thomas, Saganowski (McGoldrick 62), Wright, Licka, Viafara, Vignal, Idiakez (Euell 28), Safri, John, Davies.  Unused subs: Wright-Phillips, Gillett. Bookings: Vignal (79 - foul), Licka (83 - time wasting). Sending-Off: Vignal (81 - violent conduct).

Referee: C.H. Webster. Attendance: 21,795.

Saturday March 1st Colchester United  0  Wolves 1 (Ebanks-Blake 30)

Unchanged for the first time in months Wolves had a difficult first half - with three good chances for Colchester bringing great saves from Wayne Hennessey (against Kevin MCleod and Lisbie). fit after the concussive challenge at the Palace.  Craddock limped off after 31, just after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had capitalised on a great run and pass from Stephen Elliott.  In the second minute Michael Gray was lucky to escape a card for clobbering Duguid, who looked dangerous but suffered from the tackle and had to come off 5 minutes before half time.  Wolves then had a chance to look at one of Glenn Hoddle’s targets - Izzy McLeod. Overall, again not a great performance and always at  open to a fighting Colchester side likely to force  their way though.  In the last minute Elliott conceded a free kick right in front of goal but the wall did its work.

Mick - “you can enjoy successive away wins... for about 30 minutes .. then start preparing for Southampton on Tuesday.  We matched them in scrapping and had the finish when it mattered”.  SE-Bs goal pinched? -” just imagine the work he’s had to put in to get that.  Kevin Kyle came with a bit of negative equity but he is an asset to us.” 

“We’ve changed things around and got results. There’s a few who’ve had their noses put out of joint but it’s up to them now to get back in”

The news on Jody, who injured his ankle while clearing the ball, is that he may have ankle ligament damage and is unlikely to play against the Saints on Tuesday night.

 Go to Wolves World for live action information here and for the match report here.

Colchester United 0 Wolves 1 (Ebanks-Blake 30)

A second successive away victory lifted Wolves to within two points of a play off place with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake grabbing the only goal of the game against relegation threatened Colchester. Wolves, unchanged for their last ever visit to Layer Road with Colchester set to move to a new ground next season. Wolves kicked-off defending the end of the ground that housed a thousand of the supporters.  Phil Ifil put Dean Gerken under pressure with an overhit backpass in only the second minute. The keeper managed to clear upfield where Michael Gray was penalised for a challenge that left home skipper Karl Duguid in need of treatment.  Johnnie Jackson's free-kick went over the wall and into the arms of Wayne Hennessey.  In the 10th minute Clive Platt knocked Jackson's centre back to Kevin McLeod whose close range volley looked destined for the top corner until Hennessey made an excellent diving save holding on to the ball in the process.  Jody Craddock hurt his ankle as he blocked Kevin Lisbie's cross at the expense of a corner and he was only able to continue after lengthy treatment.  George Elokobi, who received a warm reception on his first return to his former club, hit a low centre across the face of the Colchester goal with a defender turning the ball behind at the far post.  In the 19th minute Kevin McLeod, at full stretch, just failed to reach Lisbie's low cross and, when Wolves responded, Stephen Elliott's drive was deflected behind after he had taken a return pass from Karl
Henry.  On the half-hour mark Ebanks-Blake fired Wolves into the lead. The striker took full advantage after Adam Virgo had allowed Neill Collins' long clearance to bounce over his head leaving the former Plymouth man with just Gerken to beat - he made no mistake.  Craddock's injury finally forced a 34th minute change with Kevin Foley coming on slotting in at right-back with Collins moving into central defence alongside Gary Breen.  Shortly afterwards, Duguid also went off after feeling the effects of his earlier knock making way for Izale McLeod who signed for the U's on loan from Charlton just 24 hours earlier.  Gray went into the book for pulling back Ifil before Hennessey came to the rescue as the game was about to drift into stoppage time.  Kem Izzet threaded a pass through to Lisbie who was clean through. But the Welsh keeper was quickly off his line to block with Breen completing the clearance.

Half-Time: Colchester 0 Wolves 1

Virgo was booked for a foul on David Edwards five minutes after the restart as the visiting defence coped confidently with any threats posed by the Colchester forwards.  Elliott was high and wide with a long-range effort before Elokobi almost marked his return to Layer Road in style. Gray's corner was half cleared to Darren Potter who was tackled as he was about to shoot. The loose ball ran to Elokobi who hit a low drive that was cleared off the line by Ifil.  With 15 minutes remaining Edwards was penalised for a foul on Kevin Watson ten-yards outside the Wolves' box. Jackson floated in the free-kick and Chris Coyne's powerful header wasn't too far wide of the far post.  A double switch by Mick McCarthy saw Kevin Kyle replacing Ebanks-Blake while Darron Gibson came on for Gray.  Kyle was soon involved with a low cross that was claimed by Gerken at the feet of Edwards. At the other end a good saving tackle from Henry prevented Izale McLeod getting in a shot at goal.  From a Potter centre Kyle flicked a header inches wide and then the on loan striker just failed to connect with Gibson's cross.  Elliott fired narrowly wide after he had cut in from the left before, deep into stoppage time, his challenge on Jackson resulted in a Colchester free-kick 22-yards out and in a central position.  Jackson took the free-kick himself and, after the ball had bounced behind off the wall, he also took the corner with Platt's flick flying dangerously through the six-yard box before going out beyond the far post.

Colchester: Gerken, Jackson, Coyne, Watson, Duguid (capt) (I. McLeod 39), Platt, Izzet (Balogh 70), K. McLeod (Hammond 70), Ifil, Virgo, Lisbie. Unused subs: Vernon, Bankole. Bookings: Virgo (50 - foul).
 

Wolves: Hennessey, Collins, Elokobi, Henry, Craddock (Foley 34), Breen (capt), Potter, D. Edwards, Ebanks-Blake (Kyle 77), Elliott, Gray (Gibson 77).  Unused subs: Eastwood, Stack.  Bookings: Gray (40 - foul).

Referee: I. Williamson. Attendance: 5,989.

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