Wolves Get Past Rochdale - Just!

He Did It Again!
By Scott Cooper
February 17 2003

Rochdale had allready knocked out Division One Opposition in the form of Preston and Coventry - Wolves had to ensure they would not be the third.

Walsall Vs Notts Forest Walsall Vs Notts Forest

Wolves 3 Rochdale 1

	Location : Molineux Positions: Wolves (Division One) Rochdale (Division Three)
	Ndah - Miller - Proudlock (Wolves) Simpson(Rochdale)
	Yellows - Wolves - None (Wolves) Rochdale x 2 (Rochdale) Reds - None

Murray, Irwin, Naylor, Butler, Lescott, Kennedy, Newton, Ince (c), Cameron, Ndah (goal) Miller (goal)

Gilks, Evans, Griffiths, Grand, Hill, Warner, Flitcroft, Melaugh, Simpson (Goal), Platt, McEvilly.

Match Report by Scott Cooper

For the second time in this FA Cup campaign the TV Companies decided to screen the game live on BBC 2. Both clubs would benefit from the money received but a stupid kick-off time of 7,00pm on a Sunday evening was not welcome .

With George Ndah returning from Injury, he was placed back in the starting line-up for the first time since Wolves thumped Leicester City for Four at Molineux.

Wolves made their intentions clear, after being upset by "little teams" time and time again it was important that the banana skin wasn`t going to trip Wolves up, and with the first half performance, Wolves were looking very comfortable.

Rochdale looked overawed in the first half as Wolves literally camped in the Rochdale half. Matthew Murray in the Wolves goal was merely a spectator as Rochdale struck a shot just once, and that shot was well over his bar.

Wolves however were unable to breach the Rochdale back Four until the 32nd minute. George Ndah was up-ended for the umpteenth time by a Rochdale player forcing a corner which Kennedy whipped into the 6yrd box. Ince completely missed his shot but George Ndah continued his run of scoring in every round by knocking the ball - with the help of a deflection - past the helpless Gilks in the Rochdale goal.

Wolves again went close before the break with Butler and Ince coming very close, but Rochdale held off the constant Wolves threat, leaving them a chance in the second half.

Half Time – Wolves 1- 0 Rochdale

Rochdale would not have been happy with the first half performance, and this was confirmed with the attitude and commitment of Simpsons men in the second half. Kennedy came close to making it 2-0 but it was Rochdale who were finding the ball, and for the first time in the match, making use of the chances they had.

Paul Simpson struck a speculative shot from around 25yrds and it was deflected into the net by the lucky Melaugh after wrong-footing Murray.

The Division Three side were now playing well, enjoying the moment in hope they could take Wolves to a replay, but hopes were quashed in the 80th Minute..

Colin Cameron only sore his shot parried by `Dale Keeper grant, and despite shouts for an Offside, Kenny Miller struck his 6th goal in 5 games giving Wolves a 2-1 lead.

Jones sent Adam Proudlock on for the tired Shaun Newton, and with his first touch the game was put beyond all doubt. Again `Dale Keeper Gilks could only parry Camerons effort and Adam Proudlock knocked the ball over the line from about 6 inches.

Rochdales Second half performance was a credit to lower-league football, they gave Wolves a scare, but Rochdale could not perform the cup-shock the BBC so badly wanted.

Full Time - Wolves 3-1 Rochdale


	Paul Ince showed his true leadership style, winning the midfield battles and leading his team on to a fully deserved victory and the right for the name Wolverhampton Wanderers to be added into the draw for the Quarter Finals. - Man Of The Match - Paul Ince!
	.
	Dave Jones Says "In Football you have your dreams. When you get to this stage of the competition, I am sure even a First Division club like ours will be tough for any opposition. But we are through and that is the important thing."