U18 report | Wolves 3-1 Stoke

30th August 2022

Wolves under-18s beat Stoke City 3-1 at Compton Park, as goals from Leon Chiwome and Owen Farmer, either side of an own goal, secured consecutive wins for Steve Davis’ side.

After an impressive away win against Blackburn Rovers on the opening day, Wolves looked to pick up where they left off at Compton and took just nine minutes to break the deadlock against Stoke with their first attempt of the match.

Great work by Josh Esen down the right-hand side, saw the winger pick out Chiwome at the near post, as the striker showed a neat first touch before he calmly slotted home to get his second in as many games.

Just four minutes later, Chiwome was involved again as he met a corner from the left-hand side, but he headed wide of the post as Wolves continued to be on the front foot in the opening stages.

Another set piece led to another chance for Wolves, as captain Fil Mabete came close to doubling the lead as his thumping header was cleared off the line by the perfectly placed defender.

At the other end, the visitors threatened for the first time and called Jimmy Storer into action, Sol Sidibe played a lofted pass through to Nathan Lowe, who shot from a tight angle, but it was comfortably saved by Storey and well held.

Just after the half hour mark, Wolves made their pressure pay and doubled the advantage, as Owen Farmer’s cross by unfortunately turned into his own net by Tom Cuel at the front post.

After this, Farmer picked up the ball on the left-hand side after Essen’s cross had gone across the face of goal, he came inside on his foot, but his shot was blocked and looped into the hands of Tommy Simkin.

On the stroke of half-time, the visitors halved the deficit as Lowe headed home from a Free kick from close range.

Wolves went into half time with a deserved lead; however the visitors went into half time with having pulled one back just before the break.

Half-time | Wolves 2-1 Stoke

The visitors got the second half underway as Wolves made their first substitution when Hayden Carson was replaced by Tes Igbinoghene.

Fabian Reynolds had the opportunity to restore Wolves’ two goal advantage five minutes after the break, Esen’s cross fell him to him at the back post, but he hesitated before he blazed his shot after.

The second half was played a competitive pace, as the visitors chased on equaliser, substitute Justin Iwobi headed over from a corner for Stoke.

A fantastic counterattack from Wolves nearly led to the third, Igbinoghene played the ball down the line, Farmer’s flick helped it through to Chiwome who went through on goal, but he fired wide of the far post, and it remained 2-1.

However, Wolves did add a third shortly after Essen’s cross found Farmer whose clever movement saw him get across his man at the near post, before his right footed shot was fired home.

With 18 minutes remaining Wolves led 3-1, however could not afford to ease up as Stoke threatened and had two golden chances to give themselves a route back into the game.

Josh Bickerton’s cross from the left picked out Lowe who skied his shot from close range, before Matty Lusakeuno missed a sitter at the back post when he scuffed his shot into the side netting.

Wolves nearly took advantage of the visitor’s wastefulness by going up the other end and adding a fourth, a sweeping counter saw Farmer switch the play and pick out Chiwome and play in Reynolds who shot straight at Simkin.

The final ten minutes of the game were managed well by Wolves, as Steve Davis’ side prevented the visitors from setting up a nervy finish and secured a 3-1 win.

Full-time | Wolves 3-1 Stoke City

REACTION

Steve Davis was pleased with his side’s victory and how they managed to deal with a physical Stoke side.

He said: “We always expect a physical game when we play Stoke, I think we know they are going to be big and strong because that’s what they recruit. We knew what our players had to do physically to match that, sometimes they had to go up against and other times had to be cute and clever to position themselves to stay out of that one-to-one duel.

“I thought apart from the set play which led to their goal where we got a bit bullied, we did well and picked up a lot of second balls and had to be sharp to do that. That’s their game, long balls up to the front players and competing for the ball and picking up the second one. I thought the two midfield players did well in there today to deal with that.”

On a positive start to the season

“We’ve just told the players keep working hard and doing the things we work on in training. The key thing for me is that we take some of the things we work on into the game on Saturday which is what we look for. Winning is part of that, but if they are playing the way we want them to play and learning the things we are trying to teach than that is just as important.”

On next week’s test against Leeds

“We will tell the lads what we tell them every week, be competitive and look at the objectives of the game because every game is different. Leeds will be very different to Stoke so try and make those objectives work in the situation.

“Leeds are always very fit and press very hard, just like the first team do, so we will have to play against the press and move the ball very quickly with one/ two touch passing and not get caught. These are the things we will work on in the week and hopefully take that into the game itself.”

Captain Fil Mabete was pleased with the performance and used to his leadership skills to help get the rest of the team over the line.

He said: “I think everyone played well, we stuck to the plan we made after watching Stoke previously. The last 15 minutes everyone has tired, I told them all to dig in and keep going so we could make sure we came away with the win. We need to train hard this week and make sure we are ready for Leeds.”

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