Maidenhead 0 Wolves 1 (Mane 59)
Mateus Mane’s crisp finish ended an impressive team move, as Cesar Peixoto's Wolves won their first outing of pre-season in front of supporters by one goal to nil at Maidenhead United.
Young striker Leon Chiwome was given an opportunity to lead the line on Wednesday evening and was involved, but couldn’t take either of his early chances, heading over Rafiki Said’s cross, before being denied on the line by Jordi Van Stappershoef from close range.
Kieran Tripper, wearing the armband, then set up Tawanda Chirewa who was denied by the goalkeeper, who also parried another Chiwome effort away from danger. The chances kept coming but kept going begging. Chiwome then he headed Hugo Bueno’s delivery over, while Marshall Munetsi couldn’t convert a dangerous Tripper set piece.
As for Maidenhead, Josh Coley tested Dan Bentley on the turn, before the two sides went in for the break – cue wholesale changes for the Old Gold, who made their nine tweaks, after Mane had earlier replaced the injured Said.
After the break Lima was utilised further forward and turned over a whipped Ethan Sutherland delivery at the back post. On the opposite was Mane, and that’s where the first goal came from on 59 – his quick one-two with Chirewa opened up space and the winger fired cleanly into the far inside netting.
With the hosts tiring, Wolves looked to increase their lead and Tom Edozie’s stinging drive brought a fine save out of the goalkeeper, before Chirewa prodded wide after good work by Lima.
Tommy Doyle then set up Jackson Tchatchoua, who was also frustrated by Van Stappershoef, while Chirewa, the only man to last 90, fizzed a shot wide from distance before firing the final chance of the game over, as Wolves got their win in Berkshire.
Wolves | Bentley (Gracey 45), Trippier (Tchatchoua 45), Djiga (Olagunju 45), Mosquera (Toti 45), H Bueno (Sutherland 45), Andre (Traore 45), Munetsi (Doyle 45), Chirewa, Gomes (Lima 45), Said (Mane 22) (McLeod 71), Chiwome (Edozie 45).
