Fulham and Wolves fought out what proved to be a lively draw in the third round of the FA Cup this afternoon, despite the goalless scoreline.
Leon Clarke somehow fired wide with the goal at his mercy after Bakary Sako’s powerful drive at rattled the post early on. The Malian winger then shot marginally wide after a brilliant run down the left flank as the visitors threatened to steal it before Carl Ikeme made sure there would be a reply by making a brave block from Seko Fofana after the French midfielder looked set to send Fulham through as he raced onto Scott Parker’s lovely lofted through ball.
Cauley Woodrow fired wastefully over after a lovely turn in the Wolves box as the young forward fluffed a chance to give Fulham the lead and Sako served early notice of his intensions at the other end by shooting straight at Marcus Bettinelli. A cagey first half saw both sides probe patiently without offering too much penetration, but the second period was an altogether more lively affair. Bettinelli smothered a Lee Evans shot before Woodrow and Fofana both drove over the crossbar at the Hammersmith End.
Bettinelli clawed away a good header from James Henry and the Fulham goalkeeper was alert to thwart the ex-Millwall midfielder again after he had robbed Shaun Hutchinson of possession. Substitute Sean Kavanagh laid on a good chance for Hugo Rodallega in the closing stages but the Colombian forward could only power an effort into the side netting. That means both sides will have to do it again at Molineux in a fortnight.
Fulham manager Kit Symons said afterwards: “It was probably a typical cup tie. There was a lot of blood and guts, a lot of endeavour. It probably lacked that little bit of quality, a little bit of craft and guile for either side to score the goal. I thought we sort of started okay in the game. I thought there were a few chances for both teams really.”
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bettinelli; Grimmer, Stafylidis, Hutchinson, Bodurov; Parker, Fofana; Christensen (Kavanagh 32), McCormack, Woodrow (Dembele 71); Rodallega. Subs (not used): Kiraly, Burn, Roberts, Ruiz, Williams.
BOOKED: Parker.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Ikeme; Iorfa, Doherty, Stearman, Batth; Evans, Price, Henry, Edwards; Clarke (Dicko 63), Sako. Subs (not used): Kuszczak, Ricketts, Ebanks-Landell, Saville, Jacobs, McAlinden.
BOOKED: Evans.
REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
ATTENDANCE: 11,879.
