Grimsby Town 0 Wolves 1 (S Bueno 60)
Wolves progressed into the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup after Santi Bueno’s heroics at both ends helped his side overcome a tough and scrappy test on the road at Grimsby Town.
In a classic cup tie which was played in difficult conditions on the Lincolnshire coast, the game was decided by Bueno’s second half effort, which saw the Uruguayan find the far corner of the net from a Joao Gomes cross.
Wolves were forced to dig deep and fight to the end to get past their League Two opponents, who almost took the game to extra time in the closing stages but it was Bueno again who was the man of the moment to put in a great last-ditch challenge to deny the Mariners, securing his side’s place in the fifth round draw and a first win on the road this season.
A wet, windy and increasingly muddy Blundell Park welcomed Wolves on Sunday afternoon, with many of the visiting players getting their first taste of facing lower league opposition away from the comforts of a Premier League stadium.
Although the conditions were proving difficult, Wolves coped well in the early stages, and despite a chance coming inside the opening minute, when Charles Vernam flashed an effort across Sam Johnstone’s goal, the Old Gold had an opportunity of their own, but Mateus Mane’s free-kick was comfortably gathered by former Wolves Academy keeper Jackson Smith.
Wolves grew into the contest as the half progressed, with Tolu Arokodare putting his effort over Smith’s crossbar after latching on to a ball over the top following a Mane free-kick being punched away.
Moments later, David Moller Wolfe was the victim of a heavy challenge, and the Wolves players were quick to support the wing-back, with a few pushed and shoves between the players, but both teams came away from the incident without a booking.
Grimsby were giving as good as they could in a feisty encounter on the east coast, with the Mariners putting Johnstone’s goal under pressure with several corners, while a cross from Darragh Burns landed just over the Wolves crossbar, Jamie Walkers stinging volley was blocked on the edge of the box and Tyrell Warren headed over from Vernam’s cross.
However, the closest either side came was just after the half hour mark when Joao Gomes curled a free-kick off the Grimsby bar. Moments earlier, Wolves were appealing for a penalty when Adam Armstrong was pulled down after latching onto an Arokodare touch, but the foul was just outside the box, leading to the Brazilian’s free-kick effort which beat Smith, but not the woodwork.
Half-time | Grimsby 0-0 Wolves
Within two minutes of the restart Armstrong was guilty of missing a glaring opportunity to open his Old Gold account. After a long ball onto the Grimsby box was sliced by Smith as he attempted to clear his lines, it fell kindly to the new attacking signing, but he could only fire his first-time shot over the crossbar from 16 yards out.
The hosts had a big chance of their own moments later to try and open the scoring as the ball bounced around the Wolves penalty area. It eventually found its way to Walker on the edge of the Old Gold’s box, but he could only shoot over Johnstone’s bar.
The breakthrough final game for Wolves on the hour mark. After loading the box with several crosses and throw ins, one finally paid off for Wolves as Mosquera’s long throw was only half cleared and allowed Joao Gomes to get into space down the right before his cross was met by Bueno’s boot as he glanced an effort inside the far post.
Chances continued to fall to both sides, with the best falling the way of Arokodare, who was picked out by Mosquera at the near post after racing down the right, but the Nigerian could only fire wide from close range, leaving Smith untroubled.
The visitors came close to adding a second with less than 10 minutes remaining. Arokodare’s low cross rolled through to Armstrong in the centre of the Grimsby box, who got a pass out to Mane, but the youngster was unable to keep his effort on target.
As the game hit 90 minutes, Wolves were handed a massive let off when Andy Cook was picked out at the far post but could only head his effort straight into the arms of Johnstone. While in added time, Bueno made an incredible last-ditch challenge to deny Tyrell Sellars-Flemming who found himself through on goal inside the visitors’ box.
Full-time | Grimsby 0-1 Wolves
Grimsby | Smith, Sweeney (Staunton 75), McJannet, Warren, Rodgers, Turi, Khouri, Walker (Green 57), Vernam (Sellars-Flemming 75), Burns (Amaluzor 83), Kabia (Cook 57).
Unused subs | Auton, Kacurri, Odour, Soonsup-Bell.
Wolves | Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci, Wolfe, Andre (Bellegarde 89), J Gomes, Mane, Armstrong, Arokodare.
Unused subs | Bentley, Lima, Doherty, H Bueno, A Gomes, Rawlings, R Gomes, Edozie.
