Championship 2007-8   Aug 2007 Sept 2007 Oct 2007  Nov 2007 Dec 2007  Jan 2008 Feb 2008 Mar 2008 Apr 2008 May 2008 preseason07

 

Championship season 2007-8
#	Day	Date	KO	TV	Home	Score	Score	Away	CumPts	Posn	Goal Diff

9	Tuesday	2nd  October	19:45		Leicester City	0	0	Wolves	12	11	+1
10	Saturday	6th October	15:00		Wolves	1	0	Coventry City	15	7	+2
11	Saturday	20th October	15:00		Wolves	2	0	Charlton	18
12	Tuesday	23rd October	19:45		Cardiff City	2	3	Wolves	21
13	Saturday	27th October	15:00		Ipswich Town	3	0	Wolves	21

Next Bristol City at Molineux

Ipswich 3 (Lee 42, Counago 52, Haynes 90) Wolves 0

Back to earth with a bump and a good going over by the tractor boys. Kights early good running led to a 6th minute penalty but he took a knock so Freddy took the pen and missed. With a return to the starting line up because of injuries this was Jay and Freddy’s chance to establish themselves as first choice strikers but it went downhill after this miss culminating in Lee’s goal near half time. As usual, Lee was involved in some rough play - this time Jody Craddock took an elbow, but the ref saw fit not to award a card. Just before half time Lee got away from Jody and calmly scored, but Jody was suffering from a knock on the ankle and had to go off at half time and the new defensive line up had difficulty coping with the Tractor Boys’ forwards. Kights had a shot saved dangerously close to the goal line, but tired in the second half and was taken off after 75 minutes. Wolves possession 34% with shots 7 to Ipswich’s.

Here’s how WoW saw it - Ipswich Town> 3 (Lee 42, Counago 52, Haynes 90) Wolves 0

Wolves slipped to their worst defeat of the season as their six game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end at Portman Road where home specialists Ipswich Town rattled in three without reply to record a tenth consecutive victory on their own territory. Stephen Ward returned in place of the injured Darron Gibson and Andy Keogh took a place on the bench with Freddy Eastwood starting his first game since the home defeat against Hull in mid-September. And Eastwood had the chance to mark his return in style when Wolves were awarded a fifth minute penalty. Seyi Olofinjana's through ball to Eastwood skidded through to Fabian Wilnis who underhit a backpass to Neil Alexander. Michael Kightly raced in and took a touch before going down under Alexander's challenge. The referee immediately awarded a penalty but Eastwood, who adapted the start-stop run up to the spot, saw his kick comfortably saved by the keeper. Wolves were making all the early running and, apart from the penalty, they forced three corners inside the first ten minutes. Jay Bothroyd volleyed wide after Kightly had knocked the ball back into his path, before Ipswich threatened when Karl Henry was penalised for a challenge on Billy Clarke 20-yards out with Dan Harding curling the free-kick narrowly over the bar. Sylvain Legwinski glanced a header wide when he connected with Owen Garvan's centre, and Kightly volleyed over the bar when the ball fell to him in the left of the Town area. Alan Lee went into the book after catching Jody Craddock with his arm in an aerial challenge, and then the Ipswich striker created a great chance for Jonathan Walters when he put him in the clear. Walters was stationed to the right of Wayne Hennessey's goal but his shot was nearer to the corner flag than the far post. But, three minutes before the break, the Tractor Boys moved into the lead. Garvan planted a through pass into the heart of the Wolves box. When Craddock missed his tackle with Lee, the Ipswich man coolly slotted an angled shot past Hennessey. Alexander needed two attempts to claim a long-range effort from Henry as the visitors looked for an immediate response, and Bothroyd was even closer as the game drifted into stoppage time. The ball was half cleared to the striker who, from just outside the box, hit a shot that Alexander knocked into the air and then ran back to smother on the goal-line.

Half-Time: Town 1 Wolves 0

Mick McCarthy made two changes for the start of the new half with Matthew Jarvis replacing Eastwood and Mark Little coming on for Craddock. Stephen Ward moved into the middle alongside Bothroyd and Neill Collins took up a central defensive position with Little slotting in at left-back. Three minutes into the half, Hennessey had to turn behind a low, 30-yard shot from Lee who headed over the corner that followed which was taken by Garvan. But, in the 52nd minute, Wolves plight worsened as Town doubled their advantage. Pablo Counago ran in from the right and beat Darren Ward and Hennessey before prodding the ball into the empty net. It was almost three when Clarke skipped past two challenges and passed to Counago who fired wide when he only had Hennessey to beat. Keogh came on for Kightly for the final quarter-of-an-hour but it was Ipswich that next went closest to scoring when Bothroyd headed out a Lee centre only as far as Legwinski who fired onto the roof of the net as Hennessey tracked back. As the game approached its conclusion, Kevin Foley pumped a free-kick into the Ipswich area. The ball was cleared to home substitute Danny Haynes who ran the length of the pitch before being denied by a last ditch tackle from Jarvis who had raced back to cover. But Haynes had the last laugh in stoppage time when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Wolves area and drilled a shot past Hennessey to complete a miserable afternoon for the Molineux men.

Town: Alexander, Wilnis, De Vos (capt), Garvan, Legwinski, Counago (Bruce 89), Lee (Haynes 82), Walters, Wright, Harding, Clarke (Roberts 70). Unused subs: Supple, Trotter. Booking: Lee (32 - dangerous challenge)

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, N. Collins, Olofinjana, D. Ward, Craddock (Little 45), Kightly (Keogh 74), Henry, Eastwood (Jarvis 45), Bothroyd, S. Ward. Unused subs: Potter, Stack.

Referee: K.A. Woolmer. Attendance: 23,808.

Cardiff 2 (Fowler (25, pen) Hasselbaink (29)): Wolves 3 Kightly (13, 66) Craddock (74)

A superb away performance from Kights especially and a winning goal from restored Captain Craddock saw the back of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (our tormentor at Chelsea - remember) and Robbie Fowler. Even long-serving Wolves goalkeeper now #1 at Cardiff Michael Oakes tried to get on the scoresheet but it was Jody Craddock who had the last laugh and the three points.. Here’s how Wolves reported the match. Go to www.wolves.co.uk for pictures.

Cardiff 2 (Fowler-pen 24, Hasselbaink 29) Wolves 3 (Kightly 13, 56, Craddock 74)<

After trailing at the interval, Wolves hit back at Ninian Park to record a fine win over Cardiff City and maintain their position in the play-off positions at the top of the table.

Wanderers were unchanged and they made a bright start with Andy Keogh shooting wide with a shot on the turn following a Jay Bothroyd pass. Then City went close to breaking through twice in a four minute spell. Joe Ledley's corner was headed back into the heart of the box by Gavin Rae but when the ball fell to Darren Purse he hooked his shot over the bar. The home team's two veteran strikers then combined with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink allowing Stephen McPhail's pass to go through his legs dummying the Wolves defence and leaving Robbie Fowler clean through on goal. The former Anfield ace looked a certain scorer but Wayne Hennessey ran from his line to narrow the angle and Fowler screwed his shot wide of the far post. With 13 minutes gone Wolves moved into the lead. Bothroyd advanced to the edge of the City box and lost out in a block tackle. But the ball ran into the path of Keogh who sent in a short, low cross that was turned over the line by Michael Kightly from point blank range. Hennessey had to race from his area to clear from Hasselbaink as City looked to hit back, but the keeper stood little chance as the Bluebirds levelled from the spot in the 24th minute. Karl Henry looked to completely mistime his tackle on Ledley just inside the box and Fowler sent Hennessey the wrong way with the resultant penalty. Five minutes later and the situation worsened for Wanderers as Cardiff took the lead. Fowler controlled Paul Parry's centre and turned the ball into the path of Hasselbaink who made no mistake from eight-yards out. From the restart the travelling fans behind Michael Oakes' goal howled for a Wolves penalty as Keogh went down under a challenge from Glenn Loovens before colliding with the former Molineux keeper. The Irish international was able to resume after treatment and play restarted with an unopposed drop ball for Oakes. Shortly before the interval Bothroyd nearly did the trick when he intercepted McPhail's pass and let fly a terrific 30-yard shot that drew an equally good save from Oakes.

Half-Time: City 2 Wolves 1

Stephen Ward, an interval replacement for Darron Gibson, was soon involved and his short pass to Kightly almost led to a Wolves leveller - Kightly's 20-yard drive flying inches wide. Seconds later Rae tried a shot from a similar distance at the other end but the ball flew straight into the midriff of Hennessey. Mick McCarthy then made a second change when he sent Freddy Eastwood on in place of Keogh. Wolves were forcing their hosts back and the home defence were struggling to get to grips with Kightly's pace so it didn't come as a surprise when he deservedly put Wolves back on level terms. The game was in its 56th minute when Kightly completely outstripped Loovens as he ran in from the right. The Dutch defender attempted to pull him back but Kightly shrugged off the challenge before delivering a low, angled shot into the opposite corner of the net. Immediately after the goal Fowler was replaced by Steve Thompson. Wolves continued to push forwards and with a little over 15 minutes remaining Jody Craddock's towering header from Bothroyd's corner sailed into the net to stun the home crowd. Cardiff threw everyone forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game in the closing stages. Hennessey had to dive to gather a headed back pass from Kevin Foley and then the Welsh international made a magnificent save turning aside Thompson's piledriver from outside the area. In stoppage time a Trevor Sinclair free-kick from near the right hand corner flag was floated into a packed area. Even Oakes was up for the home side and although he got a head to the ball as it bounced to and fro, the danger was eventually cleared upfield and the points were Wolves'.

City: Oakes, McNaughton, Capaldi, Rae, Purse (capt), Loovens, Fowler (Thompson 57), McPhail, Parry, Ledley (Sinclair 83), Hasselbaink (MacLean 74). Unused subs: Forde, Johnson.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, N. Collins, Olofinjana, D. Ward, Craddock, Kightly, Henry, Keogh (Eastwood 51), Bothroyd (Potter 89), Gibson (S. Ward 45).Unused subs: Little, Stack.

Referee: P. Taylor. Attendance: 15000

Wolves 2 (Bothroyd 46, Henry 85) Charlton Athletic 0

A super tactical battle against high-flying Charlton, packed with Premiership players. Wolves lost “key” players such as Stephen Elliott, Stephen Ward, Michael Gray and Breen, but Jay Bothroyd put in more than a usual shift and broke the deadlock while Charlton were still waking up from theit half-time nap, Kights was everywhere, returning Wayne Hennessey made two outstanding saves, and Gibson, the new ManU loanee only made one erroneous pass in a majestic performance. Seyi didn’t look as though he’d spent most of the last 10 days travelling to South America with Nigeria, Foley and Ward ably supported Capt Craddock and although Neill Collins’ passing in the first half was poor, his tackling was good and he improved considerably in the second half. A gem of a second goal from Karl Henry, put in by Jay returning the favour for Karl’s cross for the first goal,, and who has just signed a contract to 2011 and the game was beyond Charlton. Karl had a super match containing Andy Reid. Freddy was warmed up but a period of strong Addicks pressure led to Matt Jarvis’ debut instead.  Charlton right back Danny Mills received the welcome to Molineux he has long deserved, and deserved again for a most blatant piece of “simulation” - feigning a facial injury after chasing after Kevin Foley, who again was most assured. His opportunity to equliase from the edge of the box was well high and received an approriate response from the South Bank. An unexpected result but hugely well deserved. Mick obviously had a plan to use Kights strongly and he started on the left, frequently “mullering” Mills, and even two defenders on him couldn’t contain him. Mills also handled in the penalty area but again the ref missed it.

We thought the ref was awful - missing many pushes in the back, and giving them the benefit of 50:50 decisions. Alan Pardew felt the opposite!

.and WoW said.....

Wolves were rewarded with three precious points and fourth place in the Championship table after a battling performance against high flying Charlton Athletic resulted in a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Jay_Bothroyd and Karl Henry.


Wanderers were without the injured Gary Breen, Stephen Elliott, Michael Gray and Stephen Ward from the line-up that started against Coventry two weeks earlier. In their places came Darren Ward, Bothroyd,Neill Collins and new loan signing Darron Gibson. Charlton kicked-off attacking the North Bank end and they won a first minute corner after Seyi Olofinjana had blocked Chris Powell's attempted cross. The Charlton man received treatment as Darren Ambrose took the flag kick which was cleared without too much concern by the home defence. The Addicks were close to taking a sixth minute lead when Ambrose's cross from the right was headed back into the six-yard box by Chris Iwelumo but Luke Varney failed to make a strong enough connection and Wayne Hennessey saved. Michael Kightly won Wolves' first corner off Ambrose but when the winger fired the ball over, Nicky Weaver punched clear. An enterprising run from Kightly saw him beating two men on the left before sending a low ball into the box which was cleared by Danny Bougherra as Andy Keogh ran in at the far post. Both keepers then made excellent saves. Weaver managed to divert a Keogh header following a Kevin Foley cross although it wouldn't have counted as the offside flag was raised. Then Hennessey, displaying fine reflexes, somehow pushed Iwelumo's header past the far post. To the annoyance of the visiting players the referee then somewhat bizarrely gave a goal kick. Midway through the half, Ambrose fired over the angle before he and Zheng Zhi had to receive treatment. Both were able to resume after a few moments. Gibson and Olofinjana took the ball out of defence and found Kightly who ran forward and played a pass through to Keogh whose angled shot from the side of the box was a yard too high. Powell, who had struggled to shake off the effects of his early knock, was replaced by Sam Sodje with 36 minutes gone. Six minutes before the break Jody Craddock got in a fine challenge on Varney, who would otherwise have been through on goal, with Collins completing the clearance.

Half-Time: Wolves 0 Charlton 0

It took Wolves just 25 seconds of the new half to take the lead. From the right, Foley slipped the ball inside to Karl Henry and his low centre was slid home by former Charlton man Bothroyd. Kightly just failed to collect a clever angled ball from Bothroyd before a heavy Charlton attack ended with Hennessey claiming a 25-yard effort from Varney. Henry took a ball from Foley and turned and fired over from the corner of the Charlton box and then Gibson went onto the book after he caught Zheng with a late challenge. Danny Mills, who was 'reminded' by the crowd of past encounters with Wolves every time he touched the ball, drove over the bar after Varney's cross from the right had been headed out of the area before Zheng also fired over after Iwelumo had set up the chance. Varney saw his fierce shot parried by Hennessey at the near post and the former Shrewsbury striker followed up to head the loose ball behind. Olofinjana powered a header straight at Weaver after he had connected with a Kightly free-kick before Henry eased the nerves with a cool finish to put Wolves two up five minutes from time. Bothroyd slipped the ball to Henry who won a challenge with Sodje before slipping the ball into the net. In the dying minutes Jose Semedo was booked for a foul challenge on Kightly and Matt Jarvis made his first team debut when he replaced Bothroyd in the 88th minute.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, N. Collins, Olofinjana, D. Ward, Craddock (capt), Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Bothroyd (Jarvis 88), Gibson. Unused subs: Potter, Little, Jarvis, Eastwood, Stack. Booking: Gibson (64 - foul).

Charlton: Weaver, Mills, Powell (Siodje 36), Ambrose (Todorov 71), Reid (capt), Semedo, Zheng, Fortune, Bougherra (Thomas 71), Iwelumo, Varney. Unused subs: Randolph, McLeod. Booking: Semedo (88 - foul).

 Referee: R. Beeby. Attendance: 24,058.

Visit the Addicks site at http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?matchid=4261&type=m  for a fair write up

Jay leaves Addicks empty handed

Jay Bothroyd sentenced his former side to defeat at Molineux on Saturday as Charlton finished empty handed for just the second time this season.  The striker, who netted six times for the Addicks in a 25-game stint at The Valley two seasons ago, struck less than 30 seconds into the second half to give Wolverhampton Wanderers the lead.  The striker lunged in front of his man to convert a low cross from Karl Henry, and then had a hand in his side's clinching second goal five minutes from time.  This time he fed the ball into Andy Keogh, and his lay off allowed Henry to dash into the box and steer a shot past Nicky Weaver.  It was the first time the Addicks have failed to score in the Championship this season and saw them lose ground on Watford at the top of the table as Wolves - and the pack - closed in. The Addicks had arguably been the better side in the opening period which saw Chris Iwelumo go closest when his header came off the left-hand upright.  They also saw Darren Ambrose twice spurn openings either side of the hobbling departure of Chris Powell - the left-back unable to continue after picking up a knock in the opening minute of the game.  It forced Pardew into a positional switch but mere seconds after the restart his half-time team-talk went out of the window as Bothroyd, so often a frustrating presence in his time in SE7, stretched to turn the ball home.  The visitors attempts to get back in the game saw Zheng Zhi lift a difficult chance over and after Ambrose was also helped off the field, Hennessey beat away a drive from Luke Varney before Henry stole in to wrap up the points.  In terms of team news Pardew shrugged off injury concerns to skipper Andy Reid by naming an unchanged line-up.  The influential midfielder played in both of Republic of Ireland's internationals last week and was fit to resume his position on the left of midfield at Molineux.  Jonathan Fortune, who left the action prematurely in Charlton's last game, the 1-1 home draw with Barnsley, resumed in the centre of defence alongside Madjid Bougherra, with Reading loanee Sam Sodje, who impressed from the bench in his place last time out, continuing in reserve.  With Lloyd Sam sitting out the second of a three-match ban, Ambrose continued on the right of midfield for the visitors.  Midfielder Jose Semedo and keeper Weaver continued their record of starting every Championship clash this season and it was Varney and Iwelumo that provided the threat to the Wolves goalscoring door.  Scorer against the Tykes two weeks ago, Zheng, made up the midfield, Danny Mills continued at right-back and Powell made an eighth successive start in the opposite full-back slot.  The hosts fielded a face familiar to Addicks in their starting line-up - and Bothroyd was partnered by Keogh up front with Freddy Eastwood fit enough for the bench.  Jody Craddock, who played against Charlton for Stoke City in Alan Pardew's sole league defeat of the season, skippered the home side who boasted the talented Michael Kightly out wide.  Powell required treatment with less than a minute on the clock after being challenged by Seyi Olofinjana after a typical burst forward than earned the short-handed visitors a corner. The versatile Semedo filled in before the veteran returned Charlton to a full compliment on three minutes.  Charlton carved out their first opening moments later as Zheng fed Ambrose wide on the right. Iwelumo peeled off at the far post to head the ball across goal and the ball clattered against defender Darren Ward before being snared by the grateful Wayne Hennessey.  A purposeful burst from Kightly earned the hosts a corner, which came to nothing, and Iwelumo headed a deep free-kick wide for the Addicks as the clock ticked into its 10th minute.  Wolves then broke dangerously two minutes later as the lively Kightly sped down the left getting away from the covering Powell and sending in a tempting low centre that was toe-ended away by Reid with his Irish international colleague Keogh lurking behind him.  Semedo also produced a brave block in the aftermath and it was Kightly, who was providing a real menace to the visiting backline, in the early running. The winger again took on Powell, this time on the opposite flank with the veteran eventually shepherding the ball back to Weaver
The visitors then twice went close in as many minutes midway through the half.  First a cross from the right from Reid was headed at the far post by Iwelumo and the ball appeared to be touched on to the right upright by Hennessey only for referee Richard Beeby to signal a goal-kick.  Moments later forceful play from Zheng opened up an opportunity on the edge of the box, the midfielder steering the ball into the path of Varney.  The striker appeared to be baulked as he spun into a shooting position but the ball ran on for Ambrose who could only shoot high over the bar from the left edge of the six-yard box.  Ambrose curled a free-kick over the bar from around 20 yards for the visitors and after another surge - this time down the middle - by Kightly the ball broke to Keogh who lifted an effort over from the right edge of the box.  The next significant action saw a change with Powell hobbling off on 36 minutes to be replaced by Sodje.  It meant a positional change as Danny Mills switched across to left-back with the newcomer slotting in on the right of the backline.  Confusion reigned then at both ends with Bougherra and Sodje just about steering the ball back to Weaver before Zheng's quick-thinking at a corner caught the golden backline dozing but Ambrose couldn't cash in, flashing an angled effort high over the bar  that was the last action of the half and when the action resumed it took Wolves less than 30 seconds to get in front. 
Keogh intelligently held the ball up on the right and laid the ball off to Henry who sent in a low cross and Bothroyd got ahead of his marker to stretch out a leg and divert the ball past Weaver.  Keogh darted to meet a Kightly corner and glanced a header off target seven minutes in - and headed over again in the 55th minute from a Bothroyd centre.  Good play from Reid and Iwelumo set up Varney for a drive from the edge of the box that was gathered at the second attempt by Hennessey a minute shy of the hour mark and Henry curled over at the other end for the hosts shortly afterwards.  Darron Gibson was booked after sending Zheng tumbling - referee Beeby producing the card after playing a Charlton advantage - and the visitors went close to drawing level in the 65th minute.  The hard-running Varney levered in a cross from the right and the ball was only half headed clear leaving Mills to snatch the loose ball and drive to the edge of the box before firing narrowly over the bar. The next action saw Pardew make his final changes as Jerome Thomas and Svetoslav Todorov replaced Bougherra and Ambrose, the latter after treatment.  Another positional switch, therefore, saw Semedo drop to right back with Sodje moving inside. Varney tracked out to the right and Reid moved into a central berth vacating the left flank to Thomas.  Moments after the action resumed Charlton carved out another opening as Varney's cross was headed back by Iwelumo and Zheng took a touch as the ball arrived at him high, and then lifted his shot over the bar.  More Addicks pressure on the edge of the Wolves box saw Thomas slip a ball through for a charging Varney whose fearsome drive was turned away by Hennessey and the striker followed up to head the rebound wide from an impossible angle.  Sodje spun to hoist over the bar 14 minutes from time after a free-kick landed in his path as the Addicks continued to knock at the Wolves door.  Olofinjana headed over a Kightly free-kick after a rare break out from the hosts and Thomas got back to make a fine covering challenge on Kightly after the winger was sent clear by Bothroyd.  And it was the striker who had a hand in Wolves' clinching second five minutes from time.  He sensibly held the ball up on the left and then picked out Keogh who laid the ball off on the edge of the box, allowing Henry to run on into the box and fire a shot across Weaver and into the right corner of the net.  Reid fired over from the edge of the box as the Addicks sought a response and Semedo was booked for a foul on Kightly before Bothroyd left to a fine ovation, making way for Matt Jarvis two minutes from time.Charlton: Weaver; Mills, Powell (Sodje 36), Bougherra (J Thomas 70), Fortune; Ambrose (Todorov 70), Semedo, Zheng, Reid; Iwelumo, Varney.  Subs (not used): Randolph, McLeod.  Booked: Semedo 88 (foul on Kightly)

Wolves: Hennessey; Foley, Collins, Craddock, Ward; Henry, Olofinjana, Gibson, Kightly; Keogh, Bothroyd (Jarvis 88).
Subs (not used): Stack, Jarvis, Little, Potter, Eastwood. Goals: Bothroyd 46, Henry 85.  Booked: Gibson 64 (foul on Zheng)

Referee: R Beeby  Attendance: 24,058


Match Highlights

TEAM NEWS: Charlton - Weaver; Mills, Powell, Bougherra, Fortune; Ambrose, Semedo, Zheng, Reid; Iwelumo, Varney.

Subs: Randolph, Sodje, J Thomas, Todorov, McLeod.

Detailed team news: Charlton remain unchanged from their previous game against Barnsley, a 1-1 draw, two weeks ago. Andy Reid will lead the visitors into battle at Molineux after featuring twice for Republic of Ireland last week and Darren Ambrose continues on the right as Lloyd Sam sits out the second of his three-match ban.
Reunion news: Jay Bothroyd, who netted six times in 25 appearances as an Addick, leads the line for Wolves
1 minutes: Less than a minute on the clock and Chris Powell requires treatment following a challenge deep in Wolves territory. Jose Semedo slots in at left-back before he returns two minutes later
5 minutes: A cross from Darren Ambrose is headed back across by Chris Iwelumo and the ball clatters against Darren Ward before Wayne Hennessey gratefully gathers
12 minutes: Wolves break dangerously and Michael Kightly speeds down the left sending in a dangerous low cross which is turned off the toes of Andy Keogh by the back-tracking Reid
16 minutes: Danny Mills is being roundly booed by the home faithful eveytime he touches the ball. History perhaps?
19 minutes: Kightly is providing a menance on the break and the winger poses more problems for Powell before the veteran nudges the ball back to Weaver
22 minutes: A chance for the visitors as a right-wing cross from Reid picks out Iwelumo on the far side. The big striker's angled header appears to get a fingertip from keeper Hennessey before bouncing behind off his left hand post. Reid, shaping up to take a corner, can't beleive it as the game restarts with a goal-kick
23 minutes: Zheng Zhi's persistance on the edge of the box allows Luke Varney to spin into space in the box and although the striker is barged over, the ball breaks to Ambrose who shoots over from close in
29 minute: Ambrose curls a free-kick from 20 yards over the bar for the visitors
30 minute: Keogh lifts an effort over for Wolves from the right edge of the box after more good play from Kightly
36 minute: Powell can't continue and hobbles off to be replaced by Sam Sodje. A positional switch sees Danny Mills move to left-back with Sodje slotting in at rigght-back
41 minutes: Wolves are caught out by Zheng's quick corner but Ambrose shoots over from a narrow angle
45 minutes: A nervy moment for Charlton as Jon Fortune's attempted trap sees the ball squirm loose but Madjid Bougherra gets ascross to avert the danger and the half-time whistle follows moments later

Half-time: 0-0

46 minutes: GOAL! A disastrous start to the second half for Charlton as Keogh lays the ball off to Karl Henry and his low cross is steered in on the stretch by ex-Addick Bothroyd. 0-1
52 minutes: Keogh glances over Keogh's corner from the left
59 minutes: Iwelumo lays off a Reid pass for Luke Varney whose drive from the edge of the box is saved by Hennessey
62 minutes: Henry curls narrowly off target from the edge of the box for Wolves
64 minutes: After playing an advantage for the visitors Beeby books Darron Gibson for a foul on Zheng
65 minutes: Varney crosses from the right and the ball is half cleared to Mills who drives narrowly over the bar
70 minutes: A double change for the visitors as Jerome Thomas and Svetoslav Todorov come on for Bougherra and Ambrose
71 minutes: Varney's cross is headed on by Iwelumo and Zheng controls the ball in the box before shooting over
73 minutes: Thomas feeds Varney and the striker surges into the box before sending a searing drive that is turned away by Hennessey
76 minutes: A Charlton free-kick drops to Sodje whose overhead hoist flies high over the bar
81 minutes: Charlton are asking all of the questions but Wolves win a free-kick on a rare break and Olofinjana heads Kightly's centre narrowly wide
85 minutes: GOAL! Wolves seal the points as Bothroyd's diagonal pass is laid off by Keogh and Henry surges into the box to shoot past Weaver. 0-2
86 minutes: Reid lifts a shot over from the edge of the box
88 minutes: Semedo is booked for a foul on Kightly
88 minutes: Bothroyd leaves to a huge ovation as Matt Jarvis comes on
Full-time: 0-2

 

Saturday 7th October Wolves 1 (Collins 94) Coventry 0

Nasty stuff from Coventry especially Simpson;  three players hacked - one of them Wayne Hennessey who went to hospital after the nasty challenge from Simpson.  At least the enforced sub Scored - Neil Collins, London Wolves kit sponsored player, scored the winner in the 94th minute - and had the best celebration we’ve seen for a while - in spite of the worst refereeing from Ref Stroud - yes - even worse than Rennie.

Mick McCarthy said how delighted he was for Neil since he keeps being benched or played out of position and has conceded pens.  The club team spirit showed by the players  who came over to congratulate him after the goal and a minute later at full time.  Wayne went to hospital for a scan on a hip problem from Coventry’s Simpson leaving his foot in after Wayne had gathered the ball.  He had tried to carry on but fell to the ground after clearing the ball.  So our last remaining goal keeper came on - and Graham Stack pulled off a pretty smart save within a few minutes from Again Michael Gray was first to the ball in a 50:50 but clattered by Simpson again.   Michael went straight down and called for help . Stephen Ward had been carrying an injury before the match.  He had a good first half - looking as though he thought it could be his day as he cut on the by-line in and had his shot deflected.  Shortly after that he again cut in from the wing and saw a chance to shoot.  But his shot flew high and he picked up a knock on his foot from the Coventry defender.  So, at half time, fans’ favourite came on.  He found difficulty getting into the game, but our defenders were giving him long high balls expecting him to outjump the big centre halves.

Andy Keogh had a couple of chances, while Kights got clean through from the left only for Marshall to save, followed by another chance within minutes which Hughes just diverted over the bar.  Kights was clattered in the box by Borrowdale as the players ran out.  The linesman saw it but took no action.  In the next attack Kights was barged out of the way by the same player and retaliated - and was probably lucky to only pick up a yellow.

Here’s the official story from Wolves

Wolves 1 (N. Collins 90) Coventry City 0

Neill Collins headed Wolves to victory with a late, late winner against Coventry City just as the Midlands derby looked certain to end in a goalless draw. 

Collins struck deep into injury time in a game marred by injuries to Wayne Hennessey and Michael Gray who were both helped off inside the rst half-hour after collisions with City's Robbie Simpson.  Wolves, once again unchanged, kicked-off attacking the hotel end and after two early attacks were thwarted by the Sky Blues defence, the first goal attempt fell to Michael Mifsud whose low shot was parried by Hennessey and cleared by Kevin Foley.  Gray and Gary Breen failed to clear a long ball from the Coventry defence and there was a moment of danger when Dele Adebola took advantage but his shot was blocked by Jody Craddock  Some good work by Stephen Ward on the left saw him beating Isaac Osbourne before delivering a low shot that was cut out by Stephen Hughes at the near post.  With 18 minutes gone, Wolves lost the services of Gray who suffered a hamstring injury after going for a 50/50 ball with Simpson. The defender immediately signalled that he had a problem and he was helped off with Collins coming on as his replacement.  Andy Keogh's first time shot was saved by Andy Marshall after Stephen Elliott had helped on Ward's centre.  Gary Borrowdale went into the book for pulling back Michael Kightly to the right of the City box before Wolves suffered a second injury blow. Again Simpson was in the thick of things as he collided with Hennessey in going for a loose ball. The keeper was forced off with a hip injury with Graham Stack coming on as his replacement. Stack was soon called into action as he dived low to claim Mifsud's shot from the tightest of angles and when Wolves went forward moments later Stephen_WardStephen Ward was too high with a driven effort after he had cut in from the left.  Five minutes before the break Kightly ran between two defenders as he chased Karl Henry's through ball into the area. Kightly struck a firm shot that Marshall knocked into the air but the winger was penalised for a push as he tried to get a head to the loose ball.  Then Kightly went close again with a goalbound shot that took a deflection and flew just over the bar. In stoppage time he was booked for a challenge on Borrowdale.

Half-Time: Wolves 0 City 0

Freddy Eastwood was a half-time replacement for Stephen Ward but the visitors had the first clear chance of the half with Stack knocking Hughes' shot up into the air and leaping to claim the loose ball.  Seyi Olofinjana drilled a 25-yard effort narrowly over the bar before Stack figured again as he beat down a Mifsud shot with Breen completing the clearance at the expense of a corner.  Mifsud went into the book for dissent after Ben Turner had headed over from a Hughes corner, before Craddock got in a timely block as Adebola homed in on goal. Breen, who was suffering from a nose bleed, was ordered off by the referee for treatment and then booked for returning to the field without permission.  Appeals for a penalty after Osbourne's challenge on Henry were waved away and then the Wolves midfielder went into the book after he had fouled Michael Doyle.  Craddock threw himself in front of a Simpson shot and, as Coventry threatened once more, Breen was penalised on the edge of his own area after Mifsud had appeared to run into him.  Words were exchanged between members of each team and a bout of pushing and shoving followed with the referee having a word with Collins and Mifsud when order had been restored. The defensive wall did its job when the free-kick was taken.  Kightly went on a surging run down the left but his centre was just too high for Eastwood then, in the 79th minute, Doyle missed a golden opportunity for the Sky Blues when he fired wide of the far post after running on to a pass from Jay Tabb.  With 30 seconds of the four minutes of added time remaining, Collins grabbed the winner. Kightly regained possession after his corner had been half cleared and he returned the ball into the box for Collins to power a header past Marshall from eight-yards out

Wolves: Hennessey (Stack 30), Foley, Gray (N. Collins 20), Olofinjana, Breen (capt), Craddock, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Elliott, S. Ward  (Eastwood 45).  Unused subs: Bothroyd, Gleeson.  Bookings: Breen (65 - entering field of play without permission), Henry (69 - foul).

City: Marshall, E. Ward, Hughes, Doyle (capt), Adebola (Kyle 75), Osbourne, Mifsud, Tabb, Simpson (Best 89), Borrowdale, Turner Unused  subs: McNamee, Hughes, Thornton. Bookings: Doyle (22 - dissent), Borrowdale (25 - foul), Mifsud (54 - dissent), Kyle (83 - kick ball away).

Referee: K. Stroud.  Attendance: 24,338.

Tuesday  2nd October - Leicester 0 Wolves 0

Wolves Txt quoted Mick after the game as saying "Keogh and Elliott is the best partnership.  Eastwood and Bothroyd will have to play better to get into the team."    Reported the following day as "Andy Keogh and Stephen Elliott are the best options at the moment, and, apart from the fact we didn't score they were different class."  "Can Freddy look forward to getting back into this team?  Not if he keeps pm playing like he did in the 20 minutes he came on for tonight."  On Beacon Radio Robbie Dennison found it difficult to say anything positive about a drab game.   Here’s how WoW reported it

A scrappy Midlands derby between Leicester and Wolves finished all square with neither side able to find the net.  For the third consecutive game Mick McCarthy's starting 11 and five substitutes were unchanged.   Michael Kightly had fired over a dangerous centre that was hacked clear and then won a corner which he took himself.  Andy Keogh headed the ball on but it fell to a defender who cleared.  City's first chance went to Matt Fryatt and he looked odds on to score when he controlled Joe Mattock's pass but the striker turned and blasted a shot over the bar from ten-yards out.  In the tenth minute home keeper  Marton Fulop produced a fine, one-handed save to keep out Karl Henry's drive from the edge of the box after Stephen Elliott's ball in had been half cleared. Then it was City's turn to go close again when, from a Mattock corner, Patrick Kisnorbo ran in to power a header a yard wide. Most of the noise in the stadium was being made by the 2,000 Wolves supporters crammed into a corner of the ground.  Iain Hume struck a free-kick from the left of the Wolves box straight at Wayne Hennessey before Seyi Olofinjana opened up the home defence.  He played a delightful pass into the path of Elliott who was clean through on goal but his first touch was a little too heavy and Fulop just won the race for the ball.  Four minutes before the break, Kightly, who was a threat on the right every time he went forward, got to the by-line and squared the ball but Gareth McAuley managed to clear as Elliott slid in.  As the half drew to a close another well delivered Kightly cross was cleared as was his free-kick after he had been obstructed just to the side of the home area.

Half-Time: City 0 Wolves 0

Wolves started the new half on the attack but it took a fine save from Hennessey in the 48th minute to prevent a City opener.  Fryatt held off Jody Craddock and worked a position for himself on the 18-yard line before unleashing a low shot that Hennessey pushed away at full stretch.  Olofinjana drilled a shot wide from 22-yards and Keogh appealed in vain for a penalty after he went down under a challenge from Richard Stearman.  Kightly beat three men in a run in from the right but his final shot failed to unduly trouble Fulop.  Midway through the half, Freddy Eastwood was sent on in place of Elliott and shortly afterwards former Molineux striker Carl Cort replaced Radostin Kishishev for the home side.  A mistake by Gary Breen almost let in Cort who intercepted an intended pass to Kevin Foley. Cort ran into the box but then fired into the side netting.  The Wolves skipper soon atoned with a superb block on the edge of the area as Bruno N'Gotty found himself with only Hennessey to beat.  Fulop made two more saves from Kightly - the winger connecting with a low Eastwood cross and then shooting from distance after another run from the right.  Five minutes from time City substitute DJ Campbell planted a firm header into the arms of Hennessey after a Hume free-kick before Olofinjana nearly stole the show with a 25-yard shot that just beat the far post. It was the last kick of a disappointing contest.

City: Fulop, N'Gotty, Kisnorbo, McAuley (capt). Stearman, King, Chambers, Kishishev (Cort 73), Mattock, Fryatt (Campbell 84), Hume. Unused subs: Henderson, Kenton, Newton.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray, Olofinjana, Breen (capt), Craddock, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Elliott (Eastwood 67), S. Ward (N. Collins 90). Unused subs: Bothroyd, Potter, Stack.

Referee: T. Bates. Attendance: 21,311.

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