Football / FA Cup: Thompson decisive for Wolves

Ipswich Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Wolverhampton Wanderers. . . . . . . .2

WOLVES struck another blow for the First Division at Portman Road last night, scoring twice in the first half to put Ipswich out of the FA Cup in this fifth-round replay.

The Premiership side allowed Wolves to dominate after taking the lead in the seventh minute through Lee Mills. A second goal seven minutes before the interval by Andy Thompson gave Ipswich too much to do after the break, even though they scored within 48 seconds of the restart.

Wolves, without the injured Geoff Thomas and Steve Bull, left only three men back, filled midfield and blunted Ipswich's passing game. Now they will be trying to do the same to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the sixth round.

Their flexible formation proved its worth early, with David Kelly, who had scored their late equaliser in the first match 10 days earlier, earning a free- kick on the right. Darren Ferguson curled the ball into the area where Ian Marshall's attempt to help out his Ipswich defence led to Geraint Williams inadvertently nodding down perfectly for Mills. He put Wolves ahead in a style that Bull, whom he was replacing, would have admired.

While Ipswich squandered their possession, Wolves had it all worked out at that stage and went further ahead after 38 minutes. A tip-tap free-kick routine worked out in training should have set up a shot for Paul Blades, but he has a dodgy hamstring. Andy Thompson took over the role of executioner and did his job perfectly from 30 yards, with the help of David Linighan's deflection.

Ipswich had to wait less than a minute after the restart before their half-time reorganisation paid off. Eddie Youds, who had dropped back from midfield to allow the full-backs to push up, lofted the ball forward, Marshall's challenge distracted the Wolves defence and Steve Palmer swept in the loose ball from 15 yards.

But for pure efficiency, Wolves deserved their victory and Chelsea will have to beware that 13 March does not turn into smothering Sunday.

Ipswich Town (4-4-2): Forrest; Stockwell, Wark, Linighan, N Thompson; Youds (Mason, 74), Williams (Guentchev, 81), Palmer, Slater; Marshall, Kiwomya. Substitute not used: Baker (gk).

Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-5-2): Stowell; Blades, Shirtliff, Venus; Rankine, Keen, Ferguson (Cook, 83), Dennison, A Thompson; Mills, Kelly. Substitutes not used: Mountfield, Jones (gk).

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).