Wolves 4-1 Grimsby

By: Richard Lord
Date: 27/10/2002

AN inspired second half performance from Wolves helped them to a convincing 4-1 win over Grimsby Town at Molineux this afternoon. But it was far from plain sailing for the home side as the visitors took the lead after just two minutes.

Steve Kabba stroked home the opener to stun the home supporters and the lead could have been doubled when the Mariners created several chances through the menace of Kabba.

On the half hour Wolves pulled level through a Dennis Irwin free kick. Town defender Simon Ford was penalised for handball on the edge of the area and the former Manchester United full back guided in a Beckham-esque free kick.

The game flowed from box to box with Grimsby having the better of things until the closing stages of the first half when Wolves won a succession of corners but failed to convert their pressure into goals.

However, the second half produced a sensational performance from the home side on their 125th anniversary at Molineux. They were made to work hard for their second goal, and it was an opportunist chance poked home by Kenny Miller.

Danny Coyne made a fine block from an initial Paul Ince shot, but Miller pounced instinctively to put Wolves ahead for the first time in the afternoon.

Then substitute George Ndah left the bench and ghosted in behind Raven to knock the ball past a stranded Coyne and score with his second touch on 71 minutes.

Dean Sturridge then joined the party and sealed the win by knocking home the fourth in the last minute. But that wasn't before he blasted a spot kick over the bar after a Raven handball.

Wolves' dominance in the second half eventually paid off with Grimsby limited to just a couple of half chances.

Steve Livingstone missed a great chance when the score was 3-1, and at 1-1 a great run by Kabba saw him pull the ball back for Livingstone, but the pass was too heavy and the ball rolled behind the big striker.

Paul Ince nearly scored a memorable goal from the half way line but his shot just drifted wide with Coyne no more than 10 yards off his line.

It was a thoroughly professional performance by Dave Jones' men after Town had threatened to take the points on their first half showing.

But for Paul Groves' team it's back to the drawing board after yet another away defeat. Their performance over the first 35 minutes was encouraging, but they could not produce it for the full ninety.

They have the opportunity to start over once more on Tuesday night when they entertain Burnley at Blundell Park.

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