Wolves gunned down in the semis – Albion succumb to Villa
Plus a great run for the Saddlers, ending with a trip to Old Trafford
Season 1997-98 Part Two
Ryan Green became Wolves’ youngest ever international ... without having played in the first team
IN the FA Cup competition Wolves powered through to the semi-finals after beating Darlington, Charlton, Wimbledon and Leeds but then found it tough to break down a rugged Gunners’ defence at Villa Park, and went out 1-0.
Albion crashed out in round 4, beaten 4-0 by Aston Villa, while Walsall ousted Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town and Peterborough United before losing to Manchester United 5-1 at Old Trafford in round 5.
In the other domestic knockout competition – the League Cup – Wolves beat QPR and Fulham before going out to Reading in round 3; Albion also departed in round 3, losing 2-0 at home to Liverpool, having beaten Cambridge United and Luton Town in earlier rounds.
And Walsall went one better than their two neighbours, reaching the 4th round before falling to West Ham by 4-1, having earlier knocked out Exeter City, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.
Checking around the clubs … Robbie Keane scored twice on his League debut for Wolves v Norwich City … Chris and Matthew Clarke became the first twins to join Wolves, signing in June 1997.
Wolves brought in £2 million player Neil Emblen … in September 1997, England cricket legend, Rachel Heyhoe-flint, became the first female to be elected to the Wolves’ Board of Directors … and Welsh defender Ryan Green became Wolves’ youngestever full international when capped against Malta in June 1998 aged 17 years, 226 days. At the time he had not played in Wolves’ first team. Defenders Jason van Blerk, Matt Carbon, midfielder Sean Flynn, striker James Quinn and winger Kevin Kilbane all joined Albion. Out of The Hawthorns went Paul Agnew, strikers Andy Hunt and Bob Taylor (who was later to return to the club from Bolton), Paul Peschisolido, Stacey Coldiciott and Dave Smit. Experienced goalkeeper Nigel Spink (at 39 years and 19 days) made his farewell appearance for the Baggies against Cambridge United in a League Cup-tie. The first women’s international took place at The Hawthorns when England lost 2-1 to Italy in front of an impressive turnout of 14,000 spectators. And Walsall conceded only 16 goals at home all season – fewer than 15 clubs who finished above them in Division 2. In contrast they scored only 17 away from home – the joint lowest in the entire Division.