Having gone into the match with the best current form in Division 1 and against opponents who are looking doomed to relegation, Wolves were hot favorites.
No changes were made to the team that had won at Crewe earlier in the week and Wolves decided to attack with the wind at their backs.
Carlton Palmer surprisingly spearheaded the Stockport attack and in the early exchanges was proving a handful for Lescott and Butler.
However the break through wasn't long in coming for Wolves. Nathan Blake was put clear and as he raced towards the Stockport goal he was hauled down by Robert Clare. It had to be a sending off as Clare was the last man however the referee had to consult with the linesman as to where the foul occurred. The linesman indicated that the foul was indeed inside the penalty area so that left Dean Sturridge to coolly slot home in front of the Wolves fans massed in the Railway end. Coming on the back of the penalty success against Bradford, Sturridge seems to have solved Wolves penalty taking headache.
A second goal was soon to follow as a Kennedy whipped in a cross from the right that Stockport defender Hardiker could only help on into the net for a 2-0 lead for Wolves.
However, after this Wolves took their eye off the ball quite literally as Oakes was caught out by the on-rushing Beckett who took the ball off the keeper to tap into an empty net. It was unfortunate for Oakes who has been solid all season and the Stockport chants of 'Dodgy Keeper' were a little harsh.
Wolves were able to restore the two goal advantage just before half-time. Cameron swung in a corner on the left and Sturridge was left completely unmarked to turn the ball in from 6 yards out.
Half Time Stockport 1 Wolves 3
In the second half the ten men of Stockport began to tire chasing Wolves and Dave Jones decided to give the subs some match practice by bringing on Andrews, Miller and Ndah.
Kennedy was running rings around Stockport captain Lescott, related to Joleon, however the crosses he provided were being spurned. One of these, missed from right under the goalposts by Sturridge. This resulted in a great moment of comedy as Sturridge performed 10 press-ups in the goalmouth as a penance for missing such an easy chance. The Stockport fans, whom having not much to cheer, found this amusing. This was to be Sturridge’s last involvement in the game as Miller came on to replace him. Also ‘Super Mo’ blazed a shot high into the sky which, prompted cheers of delight to which Mo responded by raising his arms in celebration.
Wolves finally made their superiority count again with a thunderous volley from Kennedy that capped a fine performance from the left-winger. Kennedy seems to have re-found his goal scoring touch in the last few games after having a mid-season barren spell in front of goal.
Late on Miller should have scored after being put through but fired straight at the keeper and several other good passing moves, set up by the as-ever excellent Rae didn’t add to the final goal tally.
Final Score Stockport 1 Wolves 4
Analysis:
Overall it was a comfortable victory against very poor opposition.
This fixture, like the one at Crewe could have been deemed a ‘banana skin’. However, in the last few weeks I’ve seen a ruthlessness and hunger to the Wolves game that, in my opinion, is definitely going to lead to the Premiership.
Wolves were backed by a vocal support of 3,500 fans and even had several fans in the home end due to all tickets having been sold in advance.
The final whistle bonus of Man City only getting a draw at Walsall was even more reason to cheer.
Man of the Match:
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