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Wolverhampton Wanderers
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1
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Till
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Roma
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0
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Patrick, George and Jasper were added to the Roma squad, attempting to improve on last week's defeats, but they were faced with a Wolves side containing three new players in Jelle, Dani and Paul. The game proved to be a scrappy affair with clear-cut chances at a premium. Till's corner was deflected over, while at the other end George's free-kick was well blocked by the wall.
The opening goal was a combination of Jordan's determination and a mistake by Glenn. Botond rolled the ball back to his keeper who took a touch before clearing. However, Jordan had chased the ball down and managed to block Glenn's kick which deflected into Till's path and he made no mistake, slotting the ball home from 20 metres.
Soon after Roma were given the chance to equalise from the spot. George's long throw deceived Jelle who couldn't quite get his head to the ball and it bounced up off the unfortunate Ralph's hand. The ref had no alternative but to award a penalty and George stepped up to shoot. He placed the ball to his right, sending Balu the wrong but the ball crashed off the inside of the post before rolling across goal and out for a goal kick!!!
After half-time neither side could keep possession, with Wolves marginally on top in a midfield battle. Till's volley drew a cracking save from Glenn, while Hingl just failed to meet Kevin's cross after a strong run down the right. Hingl did hit the target moments later as he cut inside and drilled a low shot which Balu parried clear. Jelle had the last chance of the game but steered the ball just wide with his left foot, leaving the final score 1-0 with Roma remaining pointless and Wolves joining their next opponents Hertha on 6 points. |
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Hertha Berlin
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2
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Hurley (2)
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Wolverhampton Wanderers
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2
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Jordan (2)
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Christian was the only new addition to a Hertha squad brimming with confidence after last week's victories. Lars almost gave them a perfect start, but couldn't quite reach Anton's cross. The opener came from a set piece as Matthew's corner floated all the way to the back post where Jordan was left unmarked to stab home.
Immediately Hertha were level. Christian's long-range effort was fumbled by Balu and Hurley was on hand to net the rebound. Till twice almost gave Wolves a half-time lead but his two cross shots were just touched to safety by Marci.
The Blues started brightly in the second half as Lars and Anton combined, but the latter just failed to apply the finish. Anton again came close from Hurley's through ball, but Balu saved well with his legs. From the corner, however, Hertha found the net. Christian whipped in a great ball which Balu flicked against Ralph. As the ball ricocheted around Hurley reacted to prod home into the corner.
Wolves upped the tempo and played some neat football with Matthew turning Christian on the left before picking out Paul who steered the ball just wide. It was Jordan again who found the way through, showing great technique as the ball dropped to him 15 metres out. He swiveled and hit a lovely half-volley through a crowd of legs and into the bottom corner.
As Woves pushed forward they were almost caught out as Hurley played a fantastic long ball into Lars' path, but his left-foot effort rolled agonisingly wide. Jelle's long free-kick caused panic in the box but Matthew's effort deflected just wide and the last chance of a thrilling game fell to Hurley, but he just couldn't direct Christian's corner on target and the ball looped over to leave both teams tied at 7 points each at the top of the table.
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Roma
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2
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Sam, Hingl
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Hertha Berlin
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0
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Otto
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This was Roma's do-or-die game as another defeat would leave them 10 points off the top spot and even a massive 7 off second place...
They stated well, with Christian forced to clear from the line after a mix up between Marci and Szabolcs. Kevin then had his shot deflected for a corner which Geza attacked brilliantly, but his glancing header went just wide. Karlo was then booked for deliberate hand-ball and from the resulting free-kick Sam found the net, sending in a high shot which Marci just couldn't prevent from dropping over his head and in!
Hertha woke up and Lars' header was denied by Glenn after a beautiful cross from Christian. Christian then earned himself a yellow card as he pulled down George, who had cleverly nut-megged him, but the resulting free-kick sailed over.
After half-time Hurley drilled a low volley which Glenn did well to parry over after a wicked bounce, but it was Roma applying the real pressure as twice Hingl poked just wide after defensive errors.
Hurley was always dangerous and he broke clear down the right. His powerful shot from a tight angle smashed off the post and somehow flew across the line and wide of the far post to leave Hertha cursing their luck. It was the same moments later as Christian's corner was helped on at the back post by Kostya but Hurley's effort on the turn only found the side netting!
Roma perhaps deserved their bit of luck and as Hertha threw everything forward in the final moments a long clearance set Hingl clear and he got there before Alex and Marci to lift the ball up, over and in to secure the Reds' first points of the league!
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