The side Gregory selected showed more changes than many had anticipated for this game. Cole was in goal behind a back four of Bignot, Kanyuka, Stewart and Milanese. Rowlands, Lomas, Bolder and Smith were in midfield with Nygaard and Furlong up front. There was no place in the sixteen for Cook or Blackstock. 

It was no surprise that the home side started the quicker with a vociferous crowd roaring them on. The atmosphere in the ground was superb and is one of the reasons why Molineux is one of my favourite away grounds to go to, even though we never seem to get anything when we go there!  

Keogh fired wide of Cole’s goal in what would become a familiar scenario. I lost count of the number of times the home side failed to test the keeper throughout the game. Rangers were struggling to get anything going in attack so it was a constant stream of pressure on the R’s rearguard. 

Cole had managed to get a couple of good early punches in to buoy his confidence and the confidence of the R’s fans behind his goal. For some reason Cole already seems to have been written off by many Rangers fans, which is absolute madness considering this was only his third league start. He executed a superb challenge on Andy Keogh after the former Scunthorpe man seized on an under hit Kanyuka back pass and seemed certain to open the scoring. 

Every ball Rangers managed to send into the Wolves box was claimed by the tremendous Matt Murray. He seems to have grown a foot every time you see him and it doesn’t matter where a cross is dropping in his box he comes for it and nine times out of ten, he gets it.  

Olofinjana and McIndoe both fired wide of Cole’s goal when well placed before Mauro Milanese had a chance to fire at goal but only managed to belt the ball straight into Jody Craddock’s face! It was the stroke of halftime when Rangers finally made Murray make a save when a ball across the box somehow found its way to Jimmy Smith at the back stick. His touch got away from him a little and Murray pounced to avert the danger.

Straight after the break Rangers almost took the lead through the same player. A free kick was won and after the big men had gone forward the ball was played short and it looked a right mess. The ball was somehow worked into the feet of Smith on the edge of the box and in one fluid movement he swivelled and sent a left footed shot dipping over Murray only to see it crash off the face of the bar. Rowlands flew in on the follow up but could only head over the top. 

Wolves responded to this by kicking up a gear but once again their finishing left a lot to be desired. First Bothroyd, who has a far better opinion of his own ability than most people do, headed well wide and then Keogh dragged a shot across the face without Cole having to intervene. 

Michael McIndoe then came up with a contender for miss of the season after the R’s offside trap was sprung and Kightly drew the exposed Cole before squaring the ball across the six yard box. It was as close to an open goal as you could ever wish for but McIndoe somehow managed to screw it wide. 

There wasn’t long to wait though for the opener and Jake Cole was desperately unlucky to concede. First Bothroyd crashed a free kick in that Cole palmed away superbly. The ball was sent back in and Keogh got free and powered in a header that once again Cole clawed out only to see the ball go straight back to the Wolves man. He made no mistake with the second shot and rattled it home with the young custodian trying to get back to his feet much to the relief of the home fans. 

Wolves were rampant now and cutting through the defence and when Keogh blasted past Kanyuka Cole was bravely out to dive at the striker’s feet. Kanyuka picked up an injury in the chase and was forced from the action with Sami Timoska taking his place at the heart of the defence.  

Kightly was the next man to burst clear only for Cole to go in where the boots were flying to keep the former Grays Athletic man at bay. He could do nothing moments later though as a Bothroyd ball in from the left caught Stewart cold and he inexplicably left it alone. Kightly strolled in unmarked to poke the ball past the helpless Cole and wrap up the points. 

The game was petering out a bit now and the most action there was in a fifteen minute spell was a spat between Nygaard and All Ireland Moaning Champion Gary Breen. Nygaard challenged Breen and the defender took umbrage to it and decided to have a pop at the big Dane. Both players were cautioned but I would have happily seen Nygaard sent off just to see Breen smeared all over the park! 

In the closing stages Bailey and Jones were sent on for Bolder and Furlong. Jones has been conspicuous by his absence in recent weeks and maybe Gregory has seen the reaction he talked about at the fans forum in the week. 

Rowlands managed to work some space but curled a soft shot into Murray’s hands with Jones and Nygaard well placed before Jones worked an opening for himself only to see his overhead kick fly harmlessly over the bar. At the end of the game the fans gave the players a warm round of applause, Cole especially. Yes, it was a poor game and not a great showing but it must be hard to get yourself up for a game after the emotional release last weekend. The mood was lightened further when news of Leeds United’s predicament started to filter through! I do hope the self styled Champions of Europe enjoy everything Hartlepool has to offer next season! 

Gregory gave a few players their chance in this game but it remains to be seen whether they have done enough to convince him of their futures. The only one that did is Jake Cole who was tremendous throughout and looks certain to have buttoned down the number 2 slot for next season.  

I wasn’t that bothered that Wolves turned us over. For some reason I have a lot of time for them, the same can’t be said for Stoke though and I the prospect of ruining their season is bringing a smile to my face already! 

Man of the Match – Jake Cole. The young keeper was excellent and certainly kept the score respectable. He was desperately unlucky with the first Wolves goal and terribly exposed for the second.

simon@qprnet.com