Wolves under-18s were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup in the third round as two extra-time goals from Leicester City saw James McPike’s side lose 3-1 at Aggborough.
In a cagey opening to the game, Temple Ojinnaka broke the deadlock for Wolves with a curling cross that evaded Dillon Addai in the Leicester goal as well as Nathan Fraser who stuck out a boot. The visitors equalised a minute later through Jahmari Lindsay, with the left-back reacting quickest at the back post.
After a lively 90 minutes, both sides were unable to be separated and endured an extra 30 which saw the Foxes come out on top. Two goals in the first half of extra-time from Amani Richards and Ben Grist ended Wolves’ hopes of repeating last year’s memorable cup run which saw them reach the semi-final stage for the first time since 2005.
Wolves began the game by putting Leicester under some early pressure as they pressed high in the opposition half, but it was the Foxes who forced Jimmy Storer into the first save of the night. Will Alves found space in the six-yard box and headed an inviting cross from the left, before Storer reacted well to push the ball away from danger.
The hosts warmed into the game and soon found themselves a goal ahead. Ojinnaka whipped a deep cross from the left into the area where Fraser was making a darting run. The striker looked to flick the ball past Addai in goal but didn’t make contact, puzzling the ‘keeper in the process and giving Ojinnaka the opener.
Here's how we took the lead through Temple Ojinnaka ⚽️#FAYouthCup pic.twitter.com/uYvl0EMdko
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) December 21, 2022
The lead didn’t last long with Leicester equalising within 60 seconds. Charging onto the end of a through ball, Richards fired a shot from inside the area and forced Storer to palm away. Lindsay was the quickest to react and poked a shot in at the back post.
After coming close earlier in the game, Fraser looked to regain the lead for his side. Fabian Reynolds kept hold of the ball well following a corner and fed Fil Mabete down the left channel. Wolves’ captain drilled a ball into the feet of Fraser whose first-time shot narrowly curled wide of the right post.
Half-time | Wolves 1-1 Leicester
The home side came out of the tunnel and controlled the opening periods of the second half. A free-kick from Reynolds was headed out to Owen Farmer who struck a volley on the edge of the box but failed to sneak it through a wall of Leicester defenders.
Wolves’ high pressing soon paid off when Fraser intercepted a pass out from the defence and instantly fed Ty Barnett through down the left. Weaving in and out of defenders, Barnett created space for himself inside the area and lashed a shot at the near post. Addai was quick to react and punched the ball out.
Barnett wins it back, races towards goal and forces Addai into a save at his near post!#FAYouthCup pic.twitter.com/xPKc0RIuXh
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) December 21, 2022
There were six minutes of added time and Leicester were hungry to get the winning goal and avoid extra-time. Sprinting down the right, Richards cut a low pass across the area to second-half substitute Reece Evans who hit a first-time shot low towards the near post. Storer reacted well, using his body to block the shot and avoid any late drama.
Full-time | Wolves 1-1 Leicester
The visitors were quick to start the first half of extra-time and found success down the left with Alves. The number ten was dangerous cutting in on his right and soon helped Leicester find the back of the net.
Picking it up on the left, Alves manoeuvred inside and jinked his way across the area. After finding no luck with getting a shot away he laid off Richards who hit a first-time curling effort with his left foot into the back of the net to give his side the lead.
Wolves were undone again just a couple of minutes later, this time from a set-piece. An in-swinging cross from the left evaded the Wolves defence and with Storer failing to claim, Grist was unmarked to tap into an empty net.
Frustrations grew for the home side and in the latter stages of the second half of extra-time, Caden Voice was sent off for a high challenge on Alves. Wolves gave it their all in the final few minutes, but the old gold couldn’t force penalties and bowed out of the FA Youth Cup.
Full-time (AET) | Wolves 1-3 Leicester
NEXT FIVE
- 07/01 Nottingham Forest (A)
- 10/01 Sutton Coldfield Town (A) BSC
- 14/01 Derby County (H)
- 21/01 Everton (A)
- 28/01 Manchester United (H)
TEAMS
Wolves | Storer, Kaleta (Francis-Burrell 92), Mabete, Voice, Ojinnaka (Rees 77), Carson, Harper, Barnett (McLeod 63), Fraser, Farmer, Reynolds (Edozie 77).
Unused subs | Diomande, Amos, Igbinoghene.
Leicester | Addai, Grist, McAlinney, Wilson-Brown, Jospeh (Evans 60), Briggs, Cartwright, Lindsay, Alves (Thomas 115), Richards (Lewis 106), Nyoni (King 86).
Unused subs | Weeks, Cook, Javaid.
Report by Tom Alston