CRAIG HICKEY REPORTS ON WOLVES 2-0 WIN AGAINST WEST BROMWICH ALBION
It’s been 12 years since the Black Country derby was played in front of any fans, Covid 19 meant that the two games in the Premier League were behind closed doors. So, we’ve been looking forward to it, the banter has risen and we want to win there today for bragging rights and to get through to round 5. Here we go then, after a 15 mile bike ride, a bacon butty and a coffee, its time for the match report……I wish I was there instead of on my settee!!!
An electric atmosphere at the Borethorns, ramped up by the liquidator, Dazzling Dave and his Sainsburys bag. Its time for cool heads and big hearts out there, the only change for us is Bellegarde in for the injured Sarabia.
There’s a lot of early pressure from WBA on our lefthand side, Wallace causing a few issues but Toti and Doc doing well to try and stem the flow. After 11 minutes we get our first shot at the goal, Cunha try’s his luck from about 20 yards out but it goes wide. Albion are starting to probe down the flanks and two crosses into the box are met by two free headers that Sa comfortably catches in the middle of his goal. We continue to build up slowly, attempting to draw out the Albion defence and midfield, so that we can get in behind them but patience is needed as the holes are not appearing. A great opportunity is created by Lemina whipping a ball into the box, Cunha swivels on it but it goes way over. We are having 50% of the possession in this first half but we can’t seem to get in behind them, Neto is trying to cause problems but its not happening for him. Sa has done well during the half to collect any crosses that are in the 6 yard area and his distribution is simple but effective, always looking to throw out to the midfield or Neto.
On 33 minutes we see some great play with Bellegarde and Cunha combining to break down the left and a low cross causes the defender to intercept and concede a corner. It doesn’t come to anything and the ball is cleared by WBA. On 37 minutes we finally deal a killer blow, a corner for Albion is played onto the edge of the 18 yard box. Doc intercepts it and breaks forward, a superb pass to Neto on the right finds him in space against two defenders. He drifts inside and avoids two defenders, there’s a small gap and he cuts across the ball and a low drive goes flying into the bottom corner. Its 1 – 0, cue limbs everywhere in the away end. Neto celebrates at the Brummie Road end with his fingers in his ears, have that!
Half time: WBA 0 – 2 Wolves
The second half starts brightly for WBA with a few attacks and efforts on target through long shots that are comfortable for Jose Sa. On 52 minutes WBA cause some anxious moments in our area, a cross to the far post is nodded down into the box. Max Kilman has to work hard to shield the oncoming Asante from getting on the end of the knockdown, calls for a penalty are waved away. Doyle received some nasty attention from an Albion defender, who was booked for the challenge after play went on without coming to anything. On 55 minutes things become feisty with some strong challenges and blocks. Wolves threaten again on 57 minutes, Neto breaks forward and gets a corner but it all comes to nothing as the short corner comes back to him.
On 64 minutes, Tommy Doyle gets the ball and plays a superbly bending low ball into the box which Cunha just fails to connect with. On 69 minutes Bellegarde and Toti combine to give Bellegarde the chance to curl a superb effort that just goes wide. That’s his last contribution as he is replaced by Ait Nouri. WBA break on 70 minutes and an effort from Asante is well over but it is a warning. Wolves break forward just after and Cunha is subjected to a really poor block from Bartley, he’s no going for the ball and appears to elbow him in the throat. It’s a yellow card but if VAR was part of todays game, would it have been a red!!
On 77 minutes the game explodes in all sorts of ways both on and off the pitch. Wolves defend an attack well from WBA, Semedo lays it back to Max Kilman who plays a lovely lofted ball into the path of Cunha. Cunha takes a touch which allows him to accelerate away from the defender, he draws the keeper out and fires a side foot drive through his legs, its 2-0!! Dreamland for the travelling Molineux faithful who erupt in the Smethwick Road end as Cunha points to his Wolves badge and spins around with a finger in the air.
The game comes to a sudden halt at this point, violent scenes are being played out in the corner of the Brummie Road end. Fans are spilling onto the pitch, both stewards and the Police are fighting to control the disturbance, unfortunately these scenes are being beamed all over the globe. The teams are taken off the pitch and the game suspended, there are many theories on whether the game will end at 2-0, rescheduled again or the game will continue.
It is 13:55pm before the players arrive back on the field, over 20 minutes delay means they need to warm up again and eventually we get underway again on 77 minutes for the restart. Neto at this point has been replaced by Chirewa and West Brom make two changes themselves.
The last 10 minutes are pretty much dominated by WBA who seem to have gained some fire in their bellies to salvage something from the game. Good solid defending from the team avoids any real moments of concern and the only worrying moment is a shot from Swift on 88 minutes is saved by Sa low to his left. Its not the last meant of action as Wolves breakaway through Chirewa, who plays in Cunha, his stinging drive is well saved by the WBA keeper. After 2 minutes of added time, the whistle blows and we can all smile and look forward to the banter that awaits. It’s a subdued celebration from the players due to the previous events after our goal. Its taken a bit of a shine off the game for me, don’t get me wrong, I’m chuffed to bits but the game may be talked about for the wrong reasons.
Full timeWest Brom 0 – 2 Wolves
On we go into the 5th Round and a home tie versus Brighton, we missed out on George Elokobi coming to Molineux with Maidstone United.
The Player of the Match today could have been a few, Cunha got the ITV award. I thought the back line played well, Doherty seems to fit well into that left side, Semedo was solid, Dawson was a rock again. I am going to give it to Kilman 8.5/10, he was immense, led by example and even got an assist, well done Max and the whole team both on and off the pitch.
ARTICLE BY CRAIG HICKEY
A 53 year old season ticket holder in the Steve Bull stand. Go along with my two young lads who love the Wolves and so far, the positive times. Long may it continue.