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Wolves 2 (Olofinjana, Bothroyd) Reading 3 (Hunt Gunnarson Kitson)

A good performance overall by Wolves - especially Stephen Elliott who had three clear cut chances thanks to his good positioning in the box.  We could easily have had 5 or 6 and the first goal was an unbelievable mix up between Neill Collins and keeper Wayne Hennessey.   The Wolves goals were stunners - a terrific header by Seyi running into the box and a marvellous solo goal by Jay Bothroyd.   However, his celebrations which included raising his index finger then shouting at the bench, for less than two seconds, were taken as disrespectul by Mick and he was hauled off, in an even shorter time.  The Wolves players were left out on the pitch for some time as Mick and Jay had a dressing room interview.   Mick said post match on WM that it was over and done with, but we might expect that Jay will not be with us for too long.   Hahnemann returning from a broken hand was outstandong and kept Reading in it, until we made it easier for them.  On this performance they might struggle.  So, several home debuts.

(more to come).

Jay’s goal and after goal.

Wolves: Hennessey, N. Collins, Gray (Mulgrew 59), Olofinjana (Henry 78), Breen (capt), D. Ward (Edwards 59), Kightly, Potter, Keogh (Eastwood 65), Elliott (Bothroyd 65) (Gleeson 85), S. Ward. Unused subs: Mimms, Little, Craddock, Bennett, L. Collins, Clapham.

Reading: Hahnemann (Federici 45), Murty (capt) (De La Cruz 45), Shorey, Duberry (Bikey 54), Ingimarsson, Gunnarsson (Cisse 59), Seol (Doyle 45), Lita (Oster 59), Kitson (Long 54), Hunt (Convey 61), Harper (Cox 67).
Referee: T. Bates. Attendance: 7,216
 

Cheltenham (3-1 to WW), Holyhead (7-0), Bohemians (1-1), Bray (3-1) Grays (0-0)

Cheltenham Town 1 (Lindegaard 41) Wolves 3 (Elliott 28, Kightly 38, N. Collins 53)

Wolves were given a useful workout by Cheltenham Town in a friendly moved from the flood stricken city to Kidderminster's Aggborough home.  
Stephen Elliott and Michael Kightly were first half scorers for Mick McCarthy's men and, after Town had cut the deficit before the break, Neill Collins restored the two goal advantage shortly after the resumption.  Wolves had much the better of the opening exchanges with corners from Stephen Ward and Kightly being cleared and Town keeper Shane Higgs claiming a dangerous centre from Ward. But the first real goal attempt was by former Wanderers trainee Ashley Vincent who shrugged off a Darren Ward challenge and hit a dipping, angled shot narrowly over the bar.  Vincent figured again in the 17th minute when he crossed from the left to Andy Lindegaard who hooked a first time shot over the bar from 12-yards.But Wolves were soon on the frontfoot again and after Stephen Ward had seen his low shot deflected into the side netting by Higgs, the keeper then blocked an angled effort from Andy Keogh.  But the deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when Kightly's crossfield pass picked out Stephen Ward who cut inside before drilling a shot against the foot of the post. The loose ball fell to Elliott who lashed it into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club.  Kightly made it 2-0 ten minutes later when he finished a good move involving Keogh, Ward and Darren Potter whose shot was blocked with the ball breaking to the former Grays man who made no mistake from ten-yards.  But three minutes later Cheltenham pulled a goal back when John Finnigan found Lindegaard who had beaten the offside trap and was completely unmarked in front of goal to leave Matt Murray with no chance.

Half-Time: Cheltenham 1 Wolves 2

Stephen Ward's shot on the turn was deflected behind for a corner that led to a third goal for Wolves with 53-minutes gone. Neill Collins moved upfield to bullet home a close-range header from Kightly's flag-kick.  Michael Gray came on for Stephen Ward shortly afterwards and the defender was soon involved in the action his cross finding Elliott who turned and fired into the side netting.  Kightly shot over the bar after a patient build up involving substitute Karl Henry, Potter and Keogh before Lindegaard forced a fine save from Murray who dived full length to his left to save.  Both Eastwood and Kightly were no more than a yard away from increasing the lead with two shots in as many minutes. Esatwood was wide from just outside the area with a snapshot that would have beaten Higgs had it been on target, then Kightly worked a shooting position for himself before hitting a shot that curled just over the angle of bar and post.  Vincent then drew the best from Murray who managed to turn away a low drive from the corner of the box before smothering the loose ball.  In stoppage time Eastwood squared to pass to the tireless Kightly who fired high over the bar.

Cheltenham Town: Higgs, Gill, Ridley, Bird (Connolly 73), Duff, Wylde, Lindegaard, Finnigan, Finnigan, Vincent, Gillespie (Reid 59), Yao
(Ledgister 73). Unused subs: Brown, Puddy, Gallinagh, Gill, Manship.
Wolves: Murray (Hennessey78), N. Collins, Mulgrew, Olofinjana (Henry 59), Breen (Craddock 64), D.Ward (Gleeson 78), Kightly, Potter, Keogh, Elliott (Eastwood 59), S. Ward (Gray 54).   Referee: A.M. Penn.  Attendance: 1,673.

Meanwhile the transfer listed players plus youth helped Holyhead celebrate the opening of their new stadium but the Wolves X1 proved far too strong for Holyhead

Holyhead Hotspur 0 Wolves X1 7 (Rosa 23, Hughes 44,46, 72, Jones 75, Riley 77, Ijaha 85)

A Wolves side featuring five first team players proved too strong for League of Wales side Holyhead Hotspur.   The Anglesey team were celebrating the redevelopment of their stadium but Wolves, featuring the likes of Mark Little, Jamie Clapham, Denes Rosa, Daniel Jones and Jemal Johnson treated the match as anything other than a party occasion.  Rosa opened the scoring on 23 minutes and Wolves went on to put six more past the Welshmen for no reply - including a hat-trick for Liam Hughes.  "It was a very professional performance from our players, especially after such a long journey," says coach John Perkins.  "Once we opened the scoring we went on to take full  control over the game and showed good technique.  "But, despite the scoreline, it was still a very useful exercise for us. It's all about getting match fitness at this stage of pre-season and the players will have benefited from the game.  "It was also great experience for some of our younger lads to be playing alongside senior professionals like Clapham. They will have learned a lot today from the way he applied himself to the job.  "It was a big day for Holyhead and an enjoyable occasion for everyone attending." Clapham took a return pass from Matthew Bailey before finding Rosa who converted from close range for the first goal.  Then, a minute before the break, Liam Hughes made it two with a confident finish after a good run and centre from Jemal Johnson. Shortly after the restart Hughes struck again, rounding the keeper after taking a through pass from Rosa. On 72 minutes Hughes completed his hat-trick with a bullet header from a Danial Jones corner and Jones got onto the scoresheet himself three minutes later with a thumping shot from 22-yards.  Martin Riley ghosted in on the blind side and hit a low shot into the net to make it 6-0 after another Jones corner before David Ijaha rounded off the scoring five minutes from the end after Clapham had set up the chance.

Wolves: Lumley, Little (Dunleavy 85), Riley (Batth 84), L Collins, Clapham, Rosa (Melbourne 85), Salmon (E Bennett 45), Bailey (Ijaha 82), Jones (Williams 85), Johnson, Hughes (K Bennett 82).
Referee: B. Lawler. Attendance: 430.

Bohemians 1 Wolves 1

Old Boy Spoils The Bohs Party

Bohemians 1 (Mansaram 6) Wolves 1 (S. Ward 79)

Wolves were given a stiff workout by Bohemians who took a shock early lead in this Dalymount Park friendly. But Bohs 'old boy' Stephen Ward gave Mick McCarthy's men a deserved share of the spoils when he headed an equaliser in the closing stages of the game.  Heavy rain was falling in Dublin soaking the estimated 500 travelling supporters sat in the uncovered part of the ground as the team ran  out sporting the new change strip for the first time.
After just a minute a Seyi Olofinjana's header was cleared for a corner after Michael Kightly had fired in a free-kick from the left of the
Bohs box.  Kightly also took the corner and there was panic in the home defence as the ball bounced around in the six-yard box before it was eventually cleared.  Matt Murray made a straightforward save from Darren Mansaram but the striker shook the visitors just seconds later by giving Bohs a sixth minute lead.  He looked to be offside when he took a pass from Mark Rossiter on the right wing, but he was allowed to continue and after cutting into the box he slotted an angled shot past Murray.  Kightly was too high with a header from Daniel Jones' centre and it was from another cross from Jones, midway through the half, that Wolves thought they had equalised. Home defender Thomas Heary put through his own goal in attempting to clear but the referee awarded a free-kick against Stephen Elliott for a push.  Whilst the action was, to say the least, competitive, chances at either end were few as Wolves battled against a resolute Bohs defence. Just before the interval substitute Kyle Moran converted from close range but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Half-Time: Bohemians 1 Wolves 0

Wolves made six substitutions at the interval and one of the new men, Rob Edwards, was immediately involved when he took a neat through pass from Kightly before crossing from the by-line. Jay Bothroyd nodded the ball down but keeper Keith Gallagher pounced on it before Edwards could strike.  Ryan McCann shot wide from the edge of the area before Andy Keogh went close for Wolves with a fierce goalbound drive from near the penalty spot that was blocked by a defender.  Kightly took a return pass from Keogh after a quickly taken free-kick but the winger's sidefooted shot was saved by Gallagher. Wayne Hennessey  made a magnificent save in the 63rd minute when he tipped over a 25-yard effort from Stephen O'Donnell that had 'goal' written all over it.  But Wolves were starting to get on top and Gallagher had to save with his feet from Kightly  who had controlled a pass from Keogh to the right of the Bohs goal. Keogh then presented another chance to Kightly who rose high to power in a header that was too close to the keeper. But, in the 79th minute, Wanderers deservedly drew level with Stephen Ward directing a header beyond the dive of Gallagher after yet another cross from Keogh.  A minute later Kightly, the only Wolves player to stay on for the whole game, shot wide at the far post after Stephen Ward's centre had eluded the home defence.  When Ward crossed again Kightly almost won it with a deceptive header that struck the bar before Gallagher managed to claim the ball.

Wolves: Murray (Hennessey 45), Little (Edwards 45), L. Collins (Mulgrew 45), Olofinjana (Potter 45), N. Collins (D. Ward 60), Craddock (Breen 60), Kightly, Gleeson (Henry 45), Elliott (Keogh 56), Bothroyd (Eastwood 56), Jones (S. Ward 45).

for pix and other articles please visit the Wolves site at http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1076870,00.html

Bray Wanderers 0 Wolves 4 Weds 18th July “Tarzan’s Testimonial”

Wolves pounced for Tarzan's testimonial, scoring four in a fine display of disciplined football.

from http://www.braywanderers.ie/index.php?id=600&backPID=551&tt_news=144 = Visit Bray’s site

Mick McCarthy's side were welcome visitors to the seaside for a pre-season friendly that also marked the Club's testimonial tribute to veteran Kieran O'Brien.

Even the weather, so poor for the previous week, held up in honour of the occasion, turning into the sort of balmy July evening that summer soccer should be about. The home side held up well for sixty minutes, even with a slew of half-time substitutions, and had several good chances - including a seven-metre almost open goal that invited Tarzan to score in his own match. Instead he did something he rarely did in his playing prime: he skied over!  He did score, however, when he led the Blue team against the Whites in a half-time veterans' mini-match.

But the visitors' class showed when they settled seamlessly into an attacking mode after the hour, and a brace each from Jay Bothroyd and Freddie Eastwood made up the final scoreline. O'Brien, now on Bray's Under-21 coaching staff, made a second appearance in the main match, returning for the last ten minutes having played the first 20.

Mícheál Ó hUanacháin

Bray Wanderers: 1 Chris O'Connor; 2 Stephen Gough, 5 Clive Delaney, 4 Ray Kenny, 3 Gary Cronin; 7 Patrick Kavanagh, 6 Stephen Hurley, 8 Mark Duggan, 11 Gary McCabe; 10 Andrei Georgescu, 9 Kieran O'Brien
Subs: 12 Paul Dunphy (for Kavanagh H/T), 13 John Broderick (for McCabe 60), 14 Emeka Onwubiko (for O'Brien 20), 15 James O'Shea (for Onwubiko 53), 16 Andy Cousins (for Hurley 76), 17 Ronan Ivory (for Cronin H/T), 18 Ross Zambra (for Gough H/T), 19 Stephen Lawless (for Duggan 60), 20 Rory Pratt (for Georgescu H/T), 21 Kyle Moran, 22 Nicholas Byrne (for Kenny 60), 23 Lloyd Massey (for Delaney 82), 24 John Mulroy, 25 Steve Williams (for O'Connor 85), 26 Davy Sutton
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 1 Matt Murray; 2 Rob Edwards, 5 Gary Breen, 4 Darren Ward, 3 Charlie Mulgrew; 7 Matt Jarvis, 6 Darren Potter, 8 Karl Henry, 11 Stephen Ward; 10 Freddie Eastwood, 9 Andy Keogh
Subs: 12 Jody Craddock (for Breen 60), 13 Wayne Hennessy (gk), 14 Seyi Olofinjana, 15 Niall Collins (for D Ward 60), 16 Stephen Gleeson (for Potter 60), 18 Daniel Jones (for S Ward 60), 19 Mark Little (for Edwards 70), 20 Jay Bothroyd (for Keogh 60), 21 Lee Collins (for Mulgrew 80), 27 Michael Kightly (for Jarvis 60), n/n Josh Mimms (gk)
Referee: Richie Winter

Grays Athletic 0 Wolves 0 - Sat 14th July  Watch the highlights video here

Wonderers???   - Signings

The Teams:

Wolves First-Half: Hennessey, Little, L. Collins, Gleeson, Craddock (capt), Breen, Gobern (Bennett 28), Potter, Keogh, S. Ward, Jarvis.
Wolves Second-Half: Hennessey, Edwards, Mulgrew, Olofinjana, D. Ward, N. Collins, Kightly, Henry, Bothroyd, Eastwood, Jones.
Unused subs: Mimms, O'Connor, Hughes, Salmon, Bailey.
Referee: F. Graham. Attendance: 2,172 (430 Wolves supporters).