Ninety minutes of kicking a ball around a pitch has been the last thing on the mind of Wolves' supporters in recent weeks,

writes Tim Spiers at Gresty Road

.

The players have had plenty to think about too, as of course has Kenny Jackett.

But Wolves didn't look distracted at Gresty Road. In fact it was very much job done in their first friendly of what promises to either be a momentous or a frustrating, and possibly traumatic, summer.

Job done in the sense that plenty of first-teamers got 90 minutes under their belt. They also picked up no injuries, something Jackett really cannot afford at the moment.

But the beleaguered head coach will also have been pleased with a fairly comfortable clean sheet, and some promising performances from some, such as Jed Wallace, Dominic Iorfa and James Henry.

There are glaring weaknesses in his squad - he doesn't need reminding of that - but what more can he do other than prepare this young, hard-working and honest bunch as best he can, whatever lies around the corner.

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Jackett sprang a surprise with his starting XI by selecting Kevin McDonald in midfield.

The Scot last featured in Wolves' first team in early March but despite appearing close to a switch to Fulham earlier this week he started alongside Jack Price.

At a sunny Gresty Road the game began at a typical pre-season pace.

Wolves soon took charge and seconds after James Henry's shot had been expertly tipped over the bar, they edge in front.

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Crewe failed to clear their lines and the ball came back into the box via Mason for Iorfa to coolly beat keeper Ben Garratt from close range.

Wolves are enduring a striker shortage and the right back seemed to be auditioning for the role - bursting forward a few minutes later and driving low at Garratt with his left foot.

Jed Wallace should have doubled the lead sooner after when Wolves broke in numbers, but after receiving Price's pass he shot far too close to the keeper.

McDonald appeared to be trying to put Fulham off when he sent an almost vertical shot over the stand and into the streets outside.

And then George Saville met a Henry cross to nod at Garratt just before half time.

Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan made his first appearance in Wolves colours, replacing Carl Ikeme in the only half time change.

But he had little to do, with Wolves continuing to create the better opportunities.

The impressive Wallace nicked the ball off a dithering Crewe midfielder and stormed forward, playing in Henry who blazed over when well placed.

Joe Mason should have done better with a wayward 15 yard shot and Saville headed another teasing Henry cross over as Wolves dominated.

As the second half wore on the chances dried up, with many players understandably beginning to flag in their first official friendly of the summer.

Conor Coady made a shock appearance at right back, Aaron Hayden looked comfortable at centre half, and there were cameos from Nathan Byrne, Lee Evans and Bright Enobakhare, the latter of whom went on a mazy late run to liven up a dull last 20 minutes.

Then with just a minute left Mason doubled Wolves' advantage and gave the scoreline a fair reflection.

Lonergan's long kick evaded everyone and Mason was clean through, dinking over Garratt with a nice finish that ended the night on a positive note.

Wolves: Ikeme (Lonergan, 45); Iorfa (Coady, 45), Batth (c), Hause (Hayden, 60), Doherty; Wallace (Byrne, 71), McDonald (Evans, 76), Price, Saville; Henry (Enobakhare, 82), Mason. Subs not used: Odoffin, Leak, O'Hanlon, Ronan, Ennis, Wilson.

Attendance: 1,880 (650 away fans)