Sedgley taps in first win

Some thirty years ago, a meeting of these two sides would have been on Match of the Day. These clubs' great traditions may count for naught in the 21st century but there appeared to be a moment, as the teams warmed up, when Burnley and their support looked awe-struck in the old gold grandeur of this splendid stadium. But once the game was underway, newly promoted Burnley showed themselves well-equipped for the contest.

Their vastly experienced manager, Stan Ternent, has packed his squad with veterans. Players like Kevin Ball, the former Sunderland skipper, Mitchell Thomas, Paul Cook (one a Wolves player) and the Northern Ireland international, Phil Gray. But, eclipsing them all in tireless effort and guile was Glen Little whom they signed from humble Darlington.

Wolves were running the game when a comedy of errors in an otherwise sound Burnley defence led to a playground goal. The substitute George Ndah met a far-post cross with a header which hit the foot of a post. The ball came back into play off a defender's leg and landed at the feet of Steve Sedgley whose half-hit shot reached the net after yet another deflection.

So the Wanderers can count themselves lucky to take the points as their manager Colin Lee conceded: 'We're just pleased to get our first win under our belts.' And with two draws already secured, that precious goal has turned what might have been considered a poor start to the season into a good one.

Yesterday though, Burnley tactically looked the better side. Playing Ian Cox, Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas at the back they comfortably snuffed out the predictable aerial threat of Wolves' new striker Robert Taylor.

While Lee 'knew it would be competitive in midfield', actually it wasn't. Burnley had a midfield via Little and Cook, Wolves were untidy with Neil Emblen and Temuri Ketsbaia swapping positions throughout the game in an effort to find some rhythm.

Afterwards, a smiling Ternent knew his side had at least deserved a point, but conceded: 'In football you don't always get what you deserve. We'll take it on the chin. It was just one of those days.'

Ternent's agenda, limited presumably by the club's financial clout, is to establish Burnley in the First Division. On the evidence of this game, he has the defence and midfield for the task but lacks a truly menacing strike force.

A bright spot for Wolves was the performance of their left-back Lee Naylor. Confirmed in Howard Wilkinson's England under-21 squad, he looks mature beyond his years and will surely attract the attention of a Premiership buyer. Talking of which, Robbie Keane, late of Wolves and Coventry City, now of Inter, made a pre-match touchline appearance.