Express & Star

Classic Match - Wolves 8 Manchester City 1 Division One Aug 18 1962

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In the fourth of our Classic Match features, we take a trip down memory lane to a memorable Division 1 clash in 1962 between Wolves and Manchester City at Molineux.

Each week, we want fans to nominate a favourite game from the past and tell us why it's important to them. We'll then publish the full match report each Friday.

Match Report

With an acceptable variation of their "Would you believe it" theme, Wolves leapt from the ridiculous (against Chelsea on Easter Monday) to the sublime with their best-yet opening day 8-1 annihilation of Manchester City.

Another Cullis gambit had paid off and an inclination in some quarters to play down the result that may have been an understandable reaction of cynics and sceptics did less than justice to the youngsters who helped bring it about.

Jimmy Murray scores Wolves second goal against Manchester City at Molineux, with the old Waterloo Road stand as the backdrop.

Any team who score such a victory over opponents of a similar status deserve all the credit that can be given them. The young Wolves, I think, deserve a little more on this occasion.

Consider the position. The City called on teenagers who helped them finish last season with a major flourish; Wolves threw into this vital opening day youngsters who carried a much greater burden because of the dismal immediate past.

The City did not provide absolutely top-class opposition, but by the way they took the chances, so fortuitously offered, the new -look Wolves team should have gained confidence that will stand them in good stead.

The real secret of success was the restoration of something approaching the club's old attacking style. With only hte rarest exceptions, the forwards rarely ran in to trouble. They used the ball quickly and - looking for it - often cut the City defence to ribbons.

Add to this a most valuable directive contribution from the more experienced men like skipper Ron Flowers - he was terrific- George Showell, Jimmy Murray and Chris Crowe and we saw a team with possibilities.

Bert Trautmann, Manchester City's German-born goalkeeper dives through the air to try and save a shot from Wolves player Ronald Flowers.

Wolves: Davies, Showell, Thomson, Goodwin, Woodfield, Flowers, Wharton, Crowe, Farmer, Murray, Hinton. [/breakout]

One of my happiest personal recollections will be the sight of Ted Farmer so determinedly leading the line, and getting four goals into the bargain.

Then there were the two really raw newcomers, Fred Goodwin and David Woodfield, both working splendidly. The former in particular frequently showed an appreciation of his task that would have done credit to a more experienced man. How flowers nursed these two along!

The City middle line just could not match the home half-backs and the ability of Crowe and Murray to fox them led to several of the goals. The first was a Crowe designed gem, a flying header by Farmer, in two minutes, and the next a well-timed tap by Murray.

Another good one by Farmer wiped out George Showell's header into his own net and then between the 47th and 56th minutes, Wolves went goal crazy. Four came from Wharton-again. Crowe made Farmer, Hinton and Murray and with ten minutes left Farmer got his fourth.

It looked a runaway, but here had to be some remarkable good saves by Fred Davies and stout work by George Showell and Bobby Thomson to keep out efforts by the City.

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