Knock-out wizards cast spell again

Danny Philliskirk’s shot hit the post.

Wolves 1, Athletic 2

THE FA Cup continues to bring out the best in Athletic.

Last season it was Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Everton and this time, Wolves fell victim to a magic spell cast by the knock-out wizards of Boundary Park.

More of the same and League Two Mansfield will surely be ushered aside in the second round on home soil. Then what?

A far bigger occasion than Wolves considered this replayed tie to be, hopefully.

The most complete of Athletic’s performances this season to date was played out in front of the lowest attendance the Molineux club have registered since the days of the Anglo-Italian Cup more than two decades ago.

And most of those 4,226 will have gone home disappointed but not overly disheartened, focusing on players who weren’t on the field — Kevin Doyle and Bakary Sako for two — for comfort as they contemplate the big top-of-the-table tussle against Brentford on Saturday.

But while it is true that Kenny Jackett’s side have a much bigger, promotion-shaped fish to fry, to do down Athletic’s sterling effort on a freezing night in the West Midlands would be unjust.

No team sets out to lose a knock-out tie and Lee Johnson’s side made Wolves, the team heading the Sky Bet League One table, look lethargic and impotent.

Much to Athletic’s credit, it was only in the last few moments that the home team managed to carry sustained threat.

Scotland international Leigh Griffiths had already hit an upright in added time when he smashed home a strike which ruined Athletic’s clean sheet. There was barely even time to kick-off after it.

Before that, Griffths was firmly put in the shade by Athletic’s own forward of growing repute.

Danny Philliskirk was terrific all night. True, he should probably have added to his 21st-minute poke home from a spilled Jonson Clarke-Harris free-kick by converting at least one of the clear runs on goal he enjoyed. He also hit a post with a clever angled drive and smashed a long-range shot narrowly wide.

It was Philliskirk’s care in possession, allied to a heavy work-rate, which really impressed — and the same was true for plenty of others, not least midfield duo Anton Rodgers and James Wesolowski.

While last time out at Molineux in a 2-0 loss Athletic were criticised for going into their collective shells, there was none of that here.

Defensively solid, with Genseric Kusunga superb in the middle with 21st birthday boy James Tarkowski, Athletic were the more assertive and dangerous side from the off.

Korey Smith’s stationing at right-back in a straight 4-4-2 formation didn’t halt his forward charges and from a sortie in the seventh minute, the skipper slid a lovely pass to set Philliskirk in on goal. Carl Ikeme was out quickly to block well.

Kevin McDonald forced Mark Oxley into a sharp save at his near post, but when Athletic took the lead it was not too much of a surprise. Referee Keith Stroud looked ready to disallow Philliskirk’s clean, poked finish from a spilled ball by Ikeme but sense prevailed.

Tarkowski headed a corner a foot or two over the top and Jake Cassidy forced Oxley into more work but Athletic were comfortable holding their half-time lead.

Wolves made two change at the break in a bid to stir into life, but once again, it was Athletic who began the brighter as the game resumed.

Crsitian Montano forced a good low stretching stop from Ikeme and Philliskirk did well to control a well-weighted Clarke-Harris pass in his stride before the Wolves ’keeper again closed down the space to form an effective barrier.

After Philliskirk hammered a 20-yard shot narrowly off target, Wolves got into the game for the first time around the hour mark as Griffiths warmed Oxley’s palms after skipping past a pair of challenges. The same man also fired a snap-shot over the top with his left foot.

The injection of pace of Sidney Schmeltz earned Athletic a second goal that settled more than a few nerves.

With plenty of room to run into as Wolves pushed forward, the setting was made for the Dutch winger.

He took full advantage in teeing up Adam Rooney’s smart angled low drive, which found the bottom corner of the net with a run forward from the halfway line which drew in retreating defenders.

Philliskirk had hit a post after twisting and turning inside the area before that second goal prompted a chorus of “que sera, sera” from Athletic’s hardy supporters stationed in the corner of the Stan Cullis Stand.

They enjoyed the evening, and so too did Johnson, who made a big play of saluting those Athletic fans who made the trip after the final whistle signalled a hugely satisfying victory.