Stuttering Wolves escape gaol
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 v Burnley 1
It takes just under half an hour for me to walk to the Molineux from my house in Newbridge and on Sunday 25th August 2019 as the clock struck 4pm I had a decision to make. For much of the afternoon I’d had one ear on Test Match Special where day four of the third Ashes test was reaching it’s all too inevitable conclusion. England were putting up a gallant fight but it would only be a matter of time before the Aussies bowled them all out to claim the game and the series.
But by ten minutes to four England had got to within 40 runs of the Australian total and with Ben Stokes still at the crease it was starting to look interesting. So I turned on the television. A couple of crashing sixes ensued, followed by a four and all of a sudden it was starting to look very interesting. So at 4pm, rather than leave for the Molineux, I stayed put the distant prospect of history in the making. (if achieved the target of 359 would make it the highest run chase in test cricket history). Some twenty minutes later as Stokes crashed the ball through the covers to win the game I knew that my decision to stay had been the correct one. Headingly has a history of throwing up remarkable batting performances but Stokes’s 135 not out puts all of that had gone before, in the shade. For not only did it marry stoic defence with powerful hitting but it also required nerves of steel to nurse home the tail end. When last man in Jack Leach joined Stokes, England still required 72 runs to win. This is the sort of thing that never ever happens to England and certainly not against Australia. But it just had. So as I set off for the Molineux, with ten minutes to kick off, I was on a considerable high.
It would not be long before that sense of elation was soon punctured as my entry through the Billy Wright stand turnstile co-incided with a loud cheer. “Bugger.! I thought “I’ve missed our opening goal”. But as I reached the mezzanine floor I caught glimpse of an in house TV screen on which I could see Burnley’s Ashley Barnes firing home. “Bugger! We’re one down”. Conceding an early goal was an all too frequent occurrence last season. Yet here we were, barely three games into the new season, at it again. It wouldn’t be so bad if Wolves were playing well. But for the remainder of the half they were dreadful, their gritty and functional opponents stifling play and when in attack looking far more threatening. Matters were further compounded by an intolerant home support who, with expectation now raised, are quick to barrack players who are underperforming.
As half time arrived it was to be hoped that a turnaround might occur. Well of sorts. Yes the overall performance was slightly more cohesive but for all the huffing and puffing Burnley keeper Nick Pope was for the most part a bystander. It took Wolves until time added on to create their first serious threat, Raul Jimenez hitting a post as he turned and shot in one movement. A minute later the same player was fouled in the box by Erik Pieters, referee Craig Pawson pointing to the spot. The inevitable adjudication by VAR followed, but the decision stood. Up stepped Jimenez to side foot the ball home and release Wolves from gaol.
The sooner Wolves are out of the Intertoto Cup the better. Or it’s a long Autumn slog playing perpetual catch up. But perhaps by then we will have at least reclaimed the Ashes.
Wolves: Patricio 7, Bennett 6, Coady 6, Boly 6, Doherty 5 Sub Traore, Castro Otto 6, Gibbs White 5 Sub Lomba Neto, Neves 5, Moutinho 5 Sub Dendoncker, Jota 6, Jimenez 6
Burnley: Pope 6, Lowton 7, Tarkowski 7, Mee 6, Pieters 6, Berg Gudmundsson 6 Sub Lennon, Cork 6, Westwood 6, McNeil 6 Sub Hendrick, Wood 7, Barnes 7
Attendance: 30,522
Referee: Craig Pawson 8
©Mark Brennand