Wolves Match Report

As we boarded the 09:15am Crewe to Wolverhampton, not many held out much hope of picking anything up from the short trip south. The day started in the usual fashion, a couple of cans on the train followed by a full English and a few more alcoholic refreshments.

Then received a text with the team news in and the confirmed news that Michael Higdon was in the starting XI for the game later in the afternoon and that Richard Walker has been recalled to the side and would indeed captain the side in the absence of influential captain and playmaker Kenny Lunt.

Several more beers and many discussions about team tactics and selections saw the morning pass us by. We headed up in to town to find a bar to watch the live sky game between Wigan and Liverpool. Not a classic but Liverpool just edged the contest.

From there it was the short walk to Molineux through the tunnel of death up to the impressive Molineux Arena. We took our seats just in time for kick off and Wolves began the game quite brightly and Ross Turnbull was tested early doors and I thought it was a matter of time before our leaky defence crumbled once again.

Then on six minutes a rare moment of joy for 600+ travelling Crewe fans as a superb cross by Steve Jones found Billy Jones who smashed home from close range to give the Alex the lead.

The home crowd began to turn on the Wolves team and Crewe played some terrific passing football as they looked to capitalise on a nervous looking Wolves team. The game continued to flow from end to end, Crewe had the better of the chances with Luke Rodgers clipping the cross-bar after robbing the ball from the Wolves defender.

The boo?s and the calling for the resignation of Glen Hoddle reverberated round the ground as half time approached. Then the sucker punch just as most of the travelling fans were heading for their half time beverage Mark Kennedy ran at Anthony Tonkin who backed off and allowed the former Liverpool man a shot at goal.

His shot at goal seemed to squirm out of the grasp of Ross Turnbull and ended in the back of the net much to the relief of most of the people inside Molineux, Yet again another game where we have conceded just before the half time break and I feared the worst for the 2nd Half.

The 2nd half started in similar fashion to the first half, end to end stuff with both sides creating good chances as both sides look to win the game. As expected Wolves tried to throw everything at the Alex rearguard but to their credit the backline marshalled by Richard Walker stood up to everything that Wolves threw at them.

As the game wore on and Wolves pushed forward but the pace of substitute Luke Varney, Luke Rodgers and Steve Jones was a constant threat on the break. In fact Steve Jones had a glorious chance to put Crewe back in front but his weak shot was hit directly at Wolves goalkeeper Stefan Postma.

The game ebbed and flowed and in the end a point each was fair, With a bit more composure and luck we could of won this game. The point stopped the rot of consecutive defeats for Crewe and they will be looking to build on this performance when Ipswich visit Crewe on Tuesday night.

The players were deservedly clapped off after putting in a good performance, if the players continue to show the effort and determination in the coming weeks nobody can argue and points on the board will surely come, whether it will be enough to stave off relegation is a different matter.

We then hot footed it back to the pub to catch the remainder of six nations clash against Italy. A fight nearly broke out between locals over whether the Rugby or Man Utd clash at Portsmouth should be on the big screen. Pure comedy when the bar staff turned the rugby off just as England were about to score a try!

We then headed up to a pub near the station for a few more beverages as we analysed a superb day out for the travelling fans. Really enjoyed the day out, it makes a change not to be travelling back knowing we have lost again. All in all a superb day out and back home in Crewe for just before 8pm.

Author: Matt Owen

Player Ratings

Turnbull 6
Pulled off some cracking saves to keep us in the game, perhaps could of done better with the goal, again got a hand to it but could not keep it out.

Tonkin 5
Got forward well but spent too much time backing off from the wolves forwards, perhaps could have got a tackle in on Mark Kenney before he struck the equaliser on the stroke of half time.

Otsemobor 5
Not one of his best games for Crewe didn?t really bomb forward and got caught out several times. Did not look confident defensively.

Foster 6
Steady performance from Foster, Hopefully this will mark his return to form in the coming weeks.

Walker 7
A really good display by the captain marshalled the troops well and was a towering influence on the game. More of the same please Richard.

Bell 7
Worked tirelessly in midfield, didn?t get forward much but covered every blade of grass tracking the Wolves midfielders. Replaced late in the game.

Roberts 8
Another superb performance by the youngster, really has grown in stature and performed well against experienced pro?s in the Wolves team.

B. Jones 9
Star of the show, cannot praise this lad enough, all round performance and got in the box well to score his goal.

S. Jones 6
Good assist by Jonah for the goal, should have scored in 2nd half but hit a weak shot straight at Postma.

Higdon 5
Started well but faded as the game wore out. Won a few flick on?s but all in all not in the game enough. Replaced by Luke Varney early in the 2nd half.

Rodgers 7
Unlucky with the shot that skimmed the bar. Great work ethic and worked tirelessly for the team.

Sub: Varney 6
Linked up well with the other strikers and looked a threat on the break.

Sub: McCready 5
Replaced Bell late on as Crewe look to run clock down.