Motherwell 1-1 Wolverhampton: Motherwell are held by Wolves

Published on Thursday 24 July 2008 00:27

Motherwell 1 McGarry (4) Wolverhampton 1 Ebanks-Blake (20)

MOTHERWELL are still searching for their first pre-season win after a hard-fought draw with Championship side Wolves.

After two defeats on their Austrian tour, Mark McGhee's men were on more familiar territory but met their match against Mick McCarthy's side.

Steven McGarry's early strike had given Well the lead but the Black Country outfit responded through Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on 20 minutes.

McGhee's side earned plaudits for their football last season and home fans were given a pleasing reminder when McGarry opened the scoring on four minutes. Steven Hammell's raking left-wing pass found David Clarkson and the Scotland striker expertly cushioned a first-time volley into the path of the advancing McGarry. The move deserved a goal and the midfielder duly converted with a fine right-foot finish from 14 yards.

The Midlands side nearly self-destructed on 19 minutes when George Elokobi was woefully short with a back-pass. But keeper Wayne Hennessey spared his blushes with a good save from Chris Porter's shot from 10 yards.

And they were on level terms within one minute when Ebanks-Blake was superbly picked out by Michael Kightly and he had the simple task of heading home from three yards out.

McGhee made four substitutions at half-time and Togolese midfielder Souleymane Maman was introduced as a trialist.

But it was home favourite Clarkson who almost grabbed a goal on 53 minutes after a brilliant run. He neatly side-stepped Kevin Foley but his low shot was turned away by Hennessey's out-stretched foot.

Wolves introduced Scotland B cap Chris Iwelumo, a recent 1million buy from Charlton, on 67 minutes and he almost scored with his first touch but was ruled offside after turning home Stephen Ward's goal-bound effort.

By the full-time whistle, McCarthy and McGhee had used 17 subs and one of them, Neil Collins, nearly scored for the visitors in the last minute but Smith made a great block with his legs.

Motherwell: Smith, Quinn (Connolly 67), Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Malcolm (Hughes 46), Porter (Slane 67), Clarkson (Murphy 67), Fitzpatrick (Trialist 46), O'Brien (Smith 46), McGarry (Lasley 46).

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley (Little 67), Harte (Craddock 67), Henry (Davies), Stearman (Gray 82), Elokobi (Collins 75), Kightly (Jarvis 67), Jones (Edwards 67), Ebanks-Blake (Iwelumo 67), Keogh (Jones 75), Ward (Jones 75).

Attendance: 2238