Halford the Hero as Wolves Edge Out Scunny

Halford the Hero as Wolves Edge Out Scunny

Wolves may have turned up at Glanford Park expecting an easy victory. After all, just two years earlier, they had strolled home by two goals, against what was arguably a stronger Scunthorpe side than that of their current squad.But it wasnt all plain sailingDespite mi sing the influential pairing of Michael Kightly and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake, Mick McCarthy still named a strong line-up, including summer signings Andrew Surman and Ronald Zubar, although the placing of Nathan Mendez-Laing, an academy scholar, raised a few eyebrows.However, just six minutes in Wolves were firmly under the cosh. Marcus Hahnemann pawed away a vicious cro s-shot, beforediverting Ben Mays effortclear from danger. At the other end, Joe Murphy seemed comfortable enough,only being tested Georges Niang Jersey by Richard Stearmans hanging ball.Mick McCarthy orders instructionsCue the curse of the commentator. GeorgeFriend interlinkedwith Andy Keogh, and from the Irishmans low cro s, Friend slid the ball home, albeit via a Marcus Williams deflection.A goal behind, Scunthorpe started to attack with real purpose.Only the mountainous frame of George Elokobi prevented a home goal, after he blocked Grant McCanns sizzling drive on theline. Garry Thompsons shot on-the-run then drew a full lengthdive from Hahnemann, Derrick Favors Jersey whilst the American keeper also punched clear Niall Canavans header.Then, the Iron finally drew level. Paul Hayes low cro s somehowevaded Thompsons boot, but Kevan Hurstpounced at the far post. Many expected the rest of thehalf to fizzle out quietly, like it so often does in a friendly, but it didnt happen. Instead, Wolves regained the lead. Friend rode three challenges before slipping a perfect through ball for Keogh. The rest, as they say, is history.Andy Keogh celebrates his goalWhatever Nigel Adkins said at half-time clearly worked. Whatever Mick McCarthy said clearly didnt. Wolves looked lazy, without conviction, a world away from being Premier League standard. So it was no surprise when Scunthorpeequalised just two minutes intothe second period. After the ball was sloppily given away several times, Gary Hoopers neat centre found McCann who acrobatically drilled home.When the game started to loosen up, Jordan Clarkson Jersey it was Scunthorpe who looked the more likely to score. Elokobi was well and truly skinned by McCanns trademark dont-look-at-the-eyes move, before the enigmatic Thompson almost converted Hursts cro s, but Zubar managed to poke the ball behind. From the resultant corner, Canavan flicked the ball on to Hooper, but his attempted overhead-kick cleared the cro sbar.Richard Stearman tries to clear a dangerous cro sThen, Donovan Mitchell Jersey rather against the run of play, Wolves regained the advantage. Substitute Matt Jarvis sent in a beautifully flighted cro s from the left, and Greg Halford was there to nod it home. With the momentum swung full tilt in Wolves favour, as well asScunthorpes tiredne s starting to set in, Wolves went looking for a fourth.Elokobi ventured upfield and hit a stinging 25-yard shot that was just about clung onto, before the full-backs cro s was met by Halford, but this time he could only strike the outside of the post. As both sides started to use up their allotted substitutions, the game became disjointed.Wolves pre s for a fourth goalBut four minutes from the Tony Bradley Jersey whistle, Ian Morris hauled down Keogh in a move which settled the encounter. Up stepped Halford, who sweetly struck the ball around the wall and into the top corner, giving Josh Lillis no chance.Just before the end, Scunthorpe had the chance to regain some pride, but Hahnemann saved fromAdam Boyes, and the ball bounced behind.Wolves will be more than happy with the way they attacked, but attacking against Man Utd this term will not win you the game. You will also need to defend something that Wolvesmust learn?

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