Wolves under-18s lost their first Premier League game of the season on Saturday, falling to Middlesbrough in a 3-2 defeat at Compton Park.
Trailing at the break, Wolves mounted a spirited second-half inspired by half-time substitutes as both Leo Shahar and Ty Barnett came off the bench to score their first goals of the season, however, it wasn’t enough as James McPike’s side could not force an equaliser in the final minutes.
Middlesbrough were the side who applied the pressure early on and saw the rewards of their hard work just minutes into the half. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, Ash McCarthy drilled a low shot goalward, and his effort evaded Jimmy Storer in goal, deflecting off a Wolves defender to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Conor McLeod looked to restore parity as he made a darting run from midfield before feeding Fabian Reynolds through on the right, and the number seven’s fancy footwork manoeuvred the ball onto his left foot before he blazed the ball over the bar.
The visitors continued their lively start and just eight minutes after their opener, they doubled their lead. Aidan Bridge read play well to press Wolves’ back line and took advantage of a loose pass from Caden Voice. In a two-against-one situation, Bridge squared the ball to an unmarked Rio Patterson-Powell who calmly shot high into the roof of the net.
A vocal Storer tried to organise his defence but had no success as Middlesbrough continued to press Wolves’ goal, and just before half-time Patterson-Powell tried to double his tally for the afternoon but curled a right-footed shot high over the crossbar from the left.
Half-time | Wolves 0-2 Middlesbrough
A vastly improved second-half was inspired by a triple substitution at the break. Owen Farmer, Leon Chiwome and Shahar all came on for the trailing hosts, and Wolves started well.
Despite the hosts’ improvements, it was Middlesbrough who found the next goal. A dangerous in-swinging corner was whipped into the area, and the cross eluded each defender and found Oliver Samuels at the back post to head in their third of the afternoon.
Ackeme Francis-Burrell then came close to reducing the deficit from a subsequent corner, which was curled toward the far post where the old gold midfielder was unmarked, and without hesitation, he struck a first-time volley from close range which glided over the crossbar.
Within the space of two minutes, McPike’s men would find themselves one goal away from equalling the scores. In the 65th minute, Leo Shahar found himself unmarked following another corner and coolly slotted away a side-footed finish to give his side a fighting chance.
Ty Barnett would soon follow suit, this time scoring from range. The substitute danced his way up the pitch before finding space on the edge of the area and unleashing a venomous shot which snuck underneath Simpson between the Boro him.
The hosts thought they’d equalised but were left in disbelief following McLeod’s near miss. Chiwome stormed down the left wing, using his pace and power, and cut inside by the goal line. Keeping his cool, he drilled a ball across to an onrushing McLeod, but with more time than he realised, the number ten struck a first time over an open goal.
With time running out, McPike’s men gave it everything to try and grab a late equaliser. Goalmouth scrambles saw Barnett, McLeod and Chiwome all try and break through a stubborn Middlesbrough defence, but Simpson was equal to their efforts every time, denying Wolves of a late recovery.
Full-time | Wolves 2-3 Middlesbrough
It was the second time James McPike took charge of the under-18s squad following Steve Davis’ call-up to the first-team. McPike took the positives of the second-half but admitted his side had a slow mentality, especially in the first-half.
He said: “I was pleased with the second half I thought we caused them lots and lots of problems. We played at the intensity we should have in the first half, so we created a lot of chances. We made a couple of changes in the second-half which really impacted the game positively for us.
“But what the lads must take from this is they can’t start games with that slow mentality, if you start games with a slow mentality then you make unnecessary mistakes. I wasn’t too happy with their performance in the first half in terms of their application and concentration but the second half was much more of what we’re about.”
On his triple substitution at half-time
“It was definitely a tactical one to give us a bit more going forward however, when Owen [Farmer] and Leon [Chiwome] came on they’d been with the under-21s in the morning so it made sense for them to come back and get game time. We want to try and get as much game time out of our players as possible.
“They could’ve gone to the under-21s and had 15 to 20 minutes and that be their weekend but instead, they’ve come here and put a really solid 45 minutes in. It was always a change we were going to do with Owen and Leon at half-time and we have to think forward to Tuesday as well as it’s a big opportunity for some of the second years so we had to look after Marvin [Kaleta] because he may be someone who is needed.”
On taking charge of the U18s
“I’ve really enjoyed it. I said last week it’s not about changing everything, it’s about building on an already really good programme and it’s adding little bits of value to the programme. I’m really enjoying it, enjoying working with the players, enjoyed working across the age groups and making sure we give the best possible opportunities for the players.”
COMING UP
The under-18s have another week’s break before facing a Liverpool side who sit in second place just two points ahead of Wolves. McPike explained the preparations behind facing such a tough side.
He said: “It’s going to be tough, Liverpool are a good side. It’ll be similar during the week, we’re trying to keep working at an intensity that we can transfer to the game. The small-sided things we do is done at a high intensity and show that spirit we showed in the second half to be persistent and try to really pepper the goal. We’ll work hard in the week and work hard at what we’re good at.”
NEXT FIVE
- 29/10 Liverpool (H)
- 12/11 Leeds (A)
- 19/11 Nottingham Forest (H)
- 26/11 Newcastle United (A)
- 03/12 Manchester City (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Storer, Kaleta (Chiwome 46), Mabete, Francis-Burrell, Voice, Igbinoghene (Carson 75), Reynolds (Farmer 46), Harper, Esen (Barnett 59), McLeod, Edozie (Shahar 46) .
Middlesbrough | Simpson, Wallace-Ming Samuels, Tawiah (Kiasungha 72), Costello (Lennon 26), Traore, McCabe, Bridge, Patterson-Powell (Matthews 56).
Unused subs | Grant, Kiasungha, Connor.
