Wolves Smash Preston

Good Goal
By Scott Cooper
September 25 2002

A Dean Sturridge classic, a Kenny Miller low drive and a Blake double secured a VERY important 3 points for Wolves who were greeted to the pitch with cheers and fireworks.

It was time to knuckle down to action for Wolves. We had lost the last 3 games going into this crunch game with 9 game un-beaten Preston North End.

Dave Jones reverted to 4-4-2 with Matthew Murray in goal, Irwin, Naylor, Lescott and Paul Butler in Defence, Kevin Cooper came in on the left side with Ince, Rae and Newton supplying the balls for the attack of Nathan Blake and Dean Sturridge.

The fireworks which greeted the players onto the pitch gave the fans a boost the players needed. Paul Butler who was booed off on Saturday received cheers every time he touched the ball. Confidence was growing, the crowd were great, the players matched.

The turning point for Wolves came early on when the outstanding Murray pulled a fantastic save off from the in-form PNE striker Ricardo Fuller.

Wolves dominated the early stages of the game and it paid off on 23 minutes when the first of Four goals came.

Alex Rae`s ball over the top was won my Blake who has to muscle off a player before cooley side-footing the ball under Tepi Moilanen.

1-0 and Wolves began to grow in confidence as young star Matthew Murray pulled off more great saves. In the 47th Minute Wolves found there-selves 2 goals to the good. Irwins pass across the front of the box was greeted by Sturridge who, with his back to goal, turned, rolling the ball through his legs to chip the keeper from an acute angle to round off the Second Wolves goal and an outstanding personal goal from Sturridge.

Preston were stronger in the second half but it was Murray who won every battle. Paul Butler continued to have full support from the Wolves` faithful.

Two goals in the space of 60 Seconds five minutes from timed then rounded off the performance, First Cooper broke on the left who squared the ball to Blake who struck his Second of the game. Substitute Kenny Miller then won a ball on the edge of the box, rounded a White shirt and knocked the ball into the net via the post.

The scoreline flattered Wolves although we were worthy winners.

MOM for the second game running was Matthew Murray.

Wolves 4 Preston 0