Murray blow mars first victory

Wolves Res 2 Blues Res 0

A thoroughly convincing first win of the season for Wolves Reserves last night was tempered slightly by the early departure of keeper Matt Murray.

Murray, who was making his comeback after almost a year out with a ruptured patella tendon, walked off after 23 minutes as a precaution after feeling his knee.

Click here to see pictures from the game.

But the fact he remained on the bench for the rest of the half before walking off and signing autographs suggests any concerns weren’t serious.

By the time of his departure, Wolves were ahead, courtesy of a second minute goal from George Elokobi, who glanced home Scott Malone’s second minute corner at the near post.

Playing centre-back, Elokobi was inches away from making it 2-0 in the 14th minute, sending a diving header just wide from a superb, curling free-kick from Malone as Wolves dominated.

Murray first rubbed the front of his right knee after 10 minutes, but was soon in action, dropping Robin Shroot’s corner to spark a scramble before Wolves cleared their lines.

The giant keeper then caught a speculative 40-yard effort from Franck Queudrue before being replaced by academy youngster Dan East.

Wolves fielded a strong side with Kevin Foley also making his comeback, Greg Halford and Matt Jarvis on the flanks and Andrew Surman in central midfield.

And it was the lively Jarvis who could have doubled Wolves’ lead when he ran from deep only to finish weakly with a bobbling effort that went wide.

Kyle Bennett, playing in his home town of Telford, also tried his luck after another exciting run but flashed a rising drive over as Wolves ended the first half ahead.

Wolves didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead after Halford made it 2-0 in the 50th minute.

The utility man pounced to prod the ball home with keeper Colin Doyle beaten after James Spray turned superbly onto Bennett’s pass before lashing his shot against the foot of the post.

pray then unleashed a rising effort that flew just over after he beat the offside trap following Surman’s pass. Young Blues midfielder Jordan Mutch then sparked a skirmish when he earned a booking for going in on Jarvis from behind on 73 in a challenge that looked worse than it was.

Wolves had one last piece of defending to do as East was forced into a diving save to parry Shroot’s shot in a rare Blues attack.

Wolves (4-4-2): Murray (East 23); Foley, Ebanks Landell, Elokobi, Malone; Halford, Bennett, Surman, Jarvis; Spray, Hemmings. Subs not used: Rooney, Price, Metcalf, Parsonage.

Blues (4-5-1): Doyle; J Rowe, Espinoza, Queudrue, Vignal (L Rowe HT); O’Shea, Ntambwe, Sammons (Asante 54), Mutch, Shroot; Jervis. Subs not used: Dunphy, Butland, Kerr. Referee: I. Smedley.

Attendance: 589.

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