Wolves marched through into the last 8 of the FA cup last night in less than convincing fashion. This game was billed as a potential banana skin and it certainly had the right ingredients, with the return of an ex player, a local lad playing up front and the presence of the BBC cameras. Thankfully Wolves came through this tricky cup tie aided by the return of Ndah and Irwin. But it wasn't without a few jitters on the way. Wolves made a pretty solid start and put on all the early pressure, sending over several early crosses to test the nerve of the Rochdale defence and their young keeper Gilkes. Rochdale's first effort came on 8 minutes when player/boss Simpson sent in an optimistic lob from the halfway line.
Wolves playing with an orthodox 4- 4- 2 formation kept up their early pressure and were nearly gifted a chance when Grand overhit a back pass forcing Gilkes to slice an attempted clearance just wide of the goal. Just as the home crowds' frustration was building Wolves got the breakthrough on the half hour mark. Kennedy sent in a corner which Ince swung at only for the ball to fall to Ndah whose tame shot hit a defender before hitting the net. Wolves 1 - 0 Rochdale Wolves saw out the rest of the half quite comfortably.
Half time Wolves 1 - 0 Rochdale
Wolves' hopes of an "easy" win were dashed on 50 minutes when Simpson's low drive hit fellow team mate Melaugh to send the ball skidding past Murray. Wolves 1 - 1 Rochdale On 53 minutes Wolves fans were treated to a mazy run, eluding one man after another with some great twists and turns. It was just a pity he wasn't in a gold shirt (in fact he wasn't wearing any shirt!). The streaker was finally dragged off much to the amusement of the 23,000 inside Molineux.
Wolves still looked stronger but still wasted a number of chances against a stubborn Rochdale defence. Newton was replaced by Rae to push for the goal and avoid a replay. With a little over 10 minutes left the breakthrough came when a trademark drive from Naylor was pushed by keeper Gilkes straight into the path of Miller who hit a crisp shot into the net. Wolves 2 - 1 Rochdale The game was wrapped up in stoppage time when sub Proudlock bundled the ball over the line from Cameron's deflected shot, causing one over excited fan to leap onto the commentary box to do a victory jig."UNBELIEVABLE" as Mr Hansen would say. Wolves 3 - 1 Rochdale
The final score was harsh on Rochdale who put up a brave performance and gave us a scare. As for Wolves it was a banana skin we managed to step around and walk into the quarter finals and an away tie to Southampton and chance for Superstar DJ to exact some revenge on his former employers.
FT Wolves 3 Rochdale 1 |
