Competition: FA Cup 3rd round
Weather at kick-off: cloudy
Goals:
Wolves: Kightly 69', Collins 88'
United: Rendell 42' (pen)
Wolves:
Wayne Hennessey, Kevin Foley, Neill Collins, Darren Ward (c), Michael Gray; Matt Jarvis (Rob Edwards 90'), Darren Potter, Darron Gibson, Stephen Ward (Michael Kightly 60'); Andy Keogh (Freddy Eastwood 46'), Jay Bothroyd.
Subs not used: Stephen Elliott, Carl Ikeme.
Booked: Eastwood 65' foul, Bothroyd 84' unsporting behaviour
Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Josh Coulson, Mark Albrighton, Michael Morrison; Dan Gleeson, Paul Carden, Mark Convery (Leo Fortune-West 90'), Rob Wolleaston, Danny Brown (c) (Courtney Pitt 77'), Stephen Reed (Lee Boylan 90'); Scott Rendell.
Subs not used: Mark Peters, Robbie Willmott.
Booked: Gleeson foul 78', Carden foul 80'
Jimmy Quinn made three changes to the team beaten at Histon, calling up Josh Coulson, Paul Carden and Mark Convery in for Mark Peters, Leo Fortune-West and Courtney Pitt, and expected to line up in a 3-6-1 line-up to pack the midfield.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy made two changes in midfield, bringing in Matt Jarvis and Darren Potter for the suspended Seyi Olofinjana and Karl Henry, while former Grays man Michael Kightly made the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.
With the swirling wind carrying yellow tickertape from the United supporters, the game kicked off in a noisy atmosphere with almost 4,000 U's fans adding to the volume.
Wolves carved out a chance within a minute seconds when Matt Jarvis got behind the U's defence and crossed for Jay Bothroyd, whose shot was charged down by Mark Albrighton.
United were forced to defend an early free kick too but were clearly seeking every chance to counter-attack and in the third minute Mark Convery lifted a ball over the top for Rendell that ran through to goalkeeeper Wayne Hennessey.
United broke out again four minutes later when Rob Wolleaston released Rendell down the right and he held the ball up waiting for support, but the Wolves players were quick to close down the danger.
Danny Potter was called into action when Bothroyd beat Michael Morrison and advanced into the area but the U's keeper made a solid catch, and as the game continued in an open, end-to-end fashion United had the best chance so far when loanee Rendell and Reed linked well and Paul Carden held the ball up before lifting a dangerous cross over Hennessey that was headed off the line by Collins.
As the action continued at a breathless tempo, former Man Utd midfielder Darron Gibson tried a shot from 25 yards that ran through for Potter to make a comfortable catch, and with Kevin Foley and Matt Jarvis causing problems down United's left a ball ran for Jarvis but his shot was well-saved by Potter's feet and cleared by the defence.
Bothroyd's ambitious 30-yarder was cleared behind by Morrison and Albrighton headed away Keogh's corner, then United created a good chance on 22 when Rendell backheeled the ball to Convery who did well to beat two defenders in the area before his chipped shot was collected by Hennessey.
Danny Potter was called into action again a minute later as the noise and action continued, slipping initially but recovering to make a good save as Stephen Ward struck from 20 yards.
The home side were using all the width of the pitch to stretch United, but their final ball failed to test Potter and as the half hour mark approached the first sounds of dissension could be heard from the home supporters as their side were frustrated by United.
A patient build-up in the 32nd minute saw Gleeson and Carden link well on the left before picking out Rendell and the home side was forced to concede a corner, but Convery's flagkick was cleared.
The veteran left-back Michael Gray cleverly won a free-kick off Gleeson, which was met by Ward with a header that drew a tremendous diving save from Potter, and the follow-up shot came off Gleeson for a corner that Keogh headed wide at the far post.
There was still more defending to do as the United back three was tested by a series of crosses but they stood firm while Gibson struck a 25-yarder wide, then on 41 United were awarded a penalty.
Mark Convery's cross bounced off Neill Collins' shoulder and referee Kevin Friend had no hesitation in awarding a penalty for handball. It was hotly disputed by the Wolves players but Scott Rendell kept his cool and powered the ball into the roof of the net, then ran to celebrate in front of the United supporters as they filled Molineux with the sound of their cheering and a renewed rendition of "Bounce, bounce, Amber Army."
Two minutes later Albrighton's challenge on Bothroyd led to a Gibson free kick that Bothroyd drove into the legs of the wall, on 44 Gibson's flighted cross caught out Potter but the ball was cleared off the line by Albrighton's knee and headed away by Gleeson, and United were able to breath again as the half-time whistle heralded further loud celebrations by the United faithful.
Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"United packed the side with midfielders but if you thought they'd come to defend you were wrong. U's have been hitting on the counterattack and they had their chances before a soft penalty gave them an incredible lead."
Second half:
Wolves made one change for the start of the second half, sending on striker Freddy Eastwood for Andy Keogh, who had been struggling with an injury before today's game, and they had two early chances. First Stephen Ward lifted a 25-yarder over the bar then on 49 Bothroyd fed the ball to Eastwood but Potter watched calmly as he struck the ball wide.
United were still playing a patient game on the counterattack and on 52 Wolleaston beat the offside trap but his cross towards Rendell in the area was plucked from the air by Hennessey..
United made another clearance off the line in the 56th minute, this time Stephen Reed hacking Jarvis' corner away, and a minute later there was more pressure as Bothroyd shot was deflected for a corner, which Ward blazed over the bar.
Mick McCarthy made his second change on the hour, Michael Kightly making his comeback in place of Stephen Ward as he went to the right wing and Jarvis switched to the left.
The first booking came on 65 when the excellent Carden drew a foul from Eastwood, moments later Rendell brought the ball down in the area and fed it to Coulson but play was stopped for a handball by the U's striker, and on 69' the home crowd erupted into life when their side equalised.
It came when Matt Jarvis, who had struggled to get the better of a dogged Gleeson, found room to deliver a quality cross and substitute Kightly arrived at the far post to tuck a low shot ball home.
The goal lifted the Wolves players and Potter and Gibson both put long-range shots high and wide, while Bothroyd beat the offside trap but Potter stood up well and forced the striker to hesitate too long before shooting, Albrighton hacking the ball away.
Jimmy Quinn made his first change on 77, sending on Courtney Pitt for Danny Brown, who had looked more like his old self in a hard-working deep role, and Pitt took up a free role behind Rendell. Two minutes later Gleeson exhausted Mr Friend's patience and was booked for bringing down Jarvis and was quickly followed by Carden, despite his claims that he had won the ball from Eastwood.
With ten minutes remaining the Wolves side were trying to patiently play their way through United and when Gibson crossed the U's defence allowed Darren Ward space to nip in and head the ball over, then on 84 Bothroyd worked his way into the area and went down easily under a challenge, earning himself a booking for the dive.
But despite United's magnificent efforts, Wolves took the lead with two minutes remaining from a marginal free kick way out near the corner flag. Albrighton tangled with Kightly, who made the most of it to ensure he got the free kick, then flighted a ball that was headed firmly home by defender Neill Collins, making amends for conceding the first half penalty.
Quinn made his final throw of the dice immediately, sending on strikers Lee Boylan and Leo Fortune-West for Reed and Convery, and in the four minutes of stoppage time Gibson and Jarvis put long-range efforts wide while McCarthy made a defensive move to send on centre-half Rob Edwards for winger Jarvis.
United sent ten men forward for a free kick when Collins fouled Fortune-West, but there was no way back and the final whistle was greeted by relief from the home fans. Their side had been given a real scare by United's hard-working and disciplined team, who went to share deserved applause with with their ranks of travelling fans.
Referee: Mr Kevin Friend
Att: 15,340 (away 3,973)
Mark Johnson's Match Summary:
"Heartbreak for the U's as Neill Collins' goal two minutes from time denied Jimmy Quinn's men what would have been a thoroughly deserved replay. United surprised everyone by lining up with a six man midfield, but the approach was far from defensive. They rode their luck at times and had opportunities of their own before Scott Rendell converted a slightly unexpected penalty on the stroke of half-time. Wolves were stunned and despite renewed efforts after the break looked increasingly desperate until substitute Michael Kightly stole in unmarked at the far post to level 20 minutes from time. If that was harsh, the winner was even harder to bear."
Mark's Man of the Match:
"Cambridge United Football Club - it was a gutsy team performance of which the whole club can be proud. It would be unfair to pick anyone out."
Ref: Mr Friend - gave a couple of soft decisions, one for each side, but generally didn't do much wrong in a good cup tie. 7/10."
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