Compton Park played host to a seven-goal thriller in the Premier League Cup which went the way of Wolves under-18s, who hung onto their lead, despite Liverpool’s best efforts to stage a late comeback.
It was a bright start from the visitors as Nathen Ginlin floated in a sumptuous ball which found the head of Keyrol Figueron. Figueron connected well and forced Jimmy Storer into an impressive close-range reflex save in the early stages. The resulting corner was swung in with venom and into a dangerous area but no-one was there to meet it.
Seemingly out of nothing and much against the run of play, Wolves took the lead 10 minutes into the contest. The vocal Storer went short from his goal-kick into captain Fil Mabete, who having been afforded precious time on the ball, picked out the subtle run of Owen Farmer with an impeccably weighted line-breaking through ball. The pass was perfectly into the path of the diminutive forward who showed equally impressive composure, providing the cool dinked finish on his weaker left foot to open the scoring.
Farmer came close to doubling his tally for the game and Wolves’ advantage just a few minutes after grabbing the opener, when a low ball found him unmarked in the box. His initial central effort was easily saved before Farmer fired his rebound shot wide.
The hosts’ advantage was then doubled in the 18th minute, and it was a goal of beautiful craft and combination play. Josh Esen, who was occupying the right attacking half space, played a short ball into the advanced Ackeme Francis-Burrell who returned the favour with an exquisite first-time chipped pass over the opposing defender. Esen met the one-two stylishly on the half-volley, which was executed to perfection, firing in off the far post.
Wolves, called into question at the other end of the pitch just moments later, responded well when Storer pulled off an impressive double save, getting down quickly to palm away a deflected low effort below before reacting quickest to meet the rebound strike from close range to clear the danger.
As half-time approached Liverpool came close to halving the deficit in specular fashion. Tricky winger Elijah Gift improvised, using his body well to work the ball into Figueron who was in a good position centrally. With a Wolves defender quickly closing him down, Figueron had little choice but to get off an early shot - he unleashed a first-time volley that was hit well with pace and power marginally over the top right corner.
Liverpool took encouragement from this chance and just one minute later made Wolves pay. Mabete, who had assisted the opener, got caught out having pushed high to win back the ball, which saw Figueron through one-on-one with Storer. Mabete showed remarkable recovery pace to slide in and amend his mistake with a last-ditch challenge, but it wasn’t enough as the ball was played back into Figueron who, with time and space in the box, applied a smart finish at the near post.
Half-time | Wolves 2-1 Liverpool
Following a bright start to the second period in which chances were aplenty, Wolves made one count and restored their two-goal lead. Connor McLeod, who was one of the players whose influence had increased the most from the first half, played a beautiful sweeping ball across the pitch and into the feet of half-time substitute Fabian Reynolds on the far side, who showed good composure to slot home at the near post.
10 minutes later it was the same duo who inflicted more damage onto the visitors. An incredible crossfield switch drifted and into the path of the scorer of the third Reynolds, who was forced wide and so fizzed a low ball across goal. The cross was cleared but only as far as McLeod who thumped home the hosts’ fourth.
Soon after, Liverpool were presented with a golden opportunity to pull one back and stay in the game as their first-half goal scorer, Figueron, found himself through on goal. He dropped a shoulder to jink past one defender, but in the end tried too much and his eventual shot was charged down and the danger was cleared. A wasted opportunity for the visitors.
However, it didn’t take long for Liverpool to work another opening, this time more potent and clinical in front of goal. A whipped cross from Ranel Young was well delivered and found Gift who had manoeuvred into space at the back post and finished well, heading powerfully past Storer to make it 4-2 and reignite the contest.
The game grew even more interesting, when, with just ten minutes remaining, the Reds grabbed a third, reducing the deficit to just one goal. A scrappy set piece failed to be cleared and towering centre back, Carter Pinnington, was on hand to bundle it over the line from close range.
In the dying moments, Wolves came close to securing the victory and easing the nerves of the closing stages when Storer pumped long a goal-kick into the path of Esen. He controlled it well and got off a quick shot which was fired into the side netting.
Full-time | Wolves 4-3 Liverpool
NEXT FIVE
- 12/11 Leeds United (A)
- 19/11 Nottingham Forest (H)
- 26/11 Newcastle United (A)
- 3/12 Manchester City (A)
- 17/12 Sunderland (H)
REACTION
Wolves interim U18s boss, James McPike, was delighted with his side’s resilience and the quality on display, expressing: “It’s weird, it’s almost like a similar conversation, similar end to the game. I’m really happy with the togetherness, and their character to stick together and to defend the goal.
“I think what was pleasing this week in comparison to last week is that we had some really encouraging passages of play, we played some really good stuff, it wasn’t just a low block and counter kind of game, we played some great stuff.”
On the character shown
“It shows it’s developing, they’re developing that togetherness, that spirit, that ability to stick together and defend the goal in the later stages of the game.
“It’s long-term what they’ll need to do to have a successful career, defend leads, land on second balls and defend the goal together to win a game and see a game out - that’s all important for their development as well as in possession out of possession stuff.”
On the quality of football
“Some of the football we played was exceptional and against a top side, you can’t underestimate our opposition.
“The little bits of diamond work, the through passes, the combination play and the runs – it was excellent to put the cherry on top with the goals.”
On being clinical and scoring more
“It is [frustrating]. That’s what they need to be frustrated about, I’m happy with them getting into those areas, so the work we’re doing in the week we’re getting to see in the game.
“When you keep doing that consistently, those chances go in. Owen is an exceptional finisher, so those chances will go in.”
On the team wanting to go all the way
“They do. Different clubs will have different reasons to play in these competitions. Ultimately, it’s a cup competition, and all the boys want to win cups and competitions and try and channel the focus to a more winning mentality for a cup.
“Today has created a good opportunity for the younger players in the academy. It’s created a good opportunity for boys who haven’t had much game time in recent weeks, so different clubs will have different reasons for these cup competitions, but I think that will to win needs to be with the boys all the time, regardless of the competition.”
TEAMS
Wolves | Storer, Shahar, Mabete, Francis-Burrell, Voice, Kaleta, Esen, Harper, Farmer (Igbinoghene 65), Ashworth (Reynolds 46), McLeod (Scicluna 85).
Unused subs | Edozie, Plank.
Liverpool | Hewitson, Gyimau, Giblin (Pennington 74), Pinnington, Samuals, Pilling, Young, Laffey, Figueron, Dawns (Davidson 74), Gift.
Unused subs | Morana, Kane-Doherty, Kelly.
By Ollie Spencer
