Mick Gooding’s first goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers earned the visitors a point against Fulham at Craven Cottage last night.
The visitors edged ahead when Andy Mutch tapped home from close range having spun superbly to outwit Glen Thomas after nineteen minutes after excellent approach play by Robbie Dennison and Phil Chard. Wolves looked threatening on the break, especially when they worked the ball wide, and Gooding struck a post as the visitors failed to add to their lead.
Fulham were far more competitive in the second half – fired up by a fiery half-time team-talk from Ray Lewington – and got themselves level nine minutes after the interval when captain Rob Wilson converted a clever pass from striker Andy Sayer. Sayer was then brought down in the box two minutes later after a clumsy challenge by Nicky Clarke and Justin Skinner calmly beat Wolves goalkeeper Mark Kendall from the penalty spot.
Gooding’s equaliser with eighteen minutes left was terrifically taken – as he brilliantly left Jim Stannard totally helpless with a lovely angled drive into the bottom corner of the net.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Peters, Thomas, Marshall, Skinner (Scott 70), Mauge, Barnett, Wilson, Davies, Sayer. Subs (not used): Elkins.
BOOKED: Peters, Thomas.
GOALS: Wilson (54), Skinner (pen 56).
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Kendall; Thompson, Bellamy, Robertson (Gallagher 69), Clarke, Robinson, Dennison, Gooding, Chard, Mutch, Bull. Subs (not used): Venus.
BOOKED: Clarke, Bellamy, Gooding, Robertson.
GOALS: Mutch (19), Gooding (72).
ATTENDANCE: 4,828.
