Wolves under-18s were beaten 3-0 at Compton Park following three second half goals from Blackburn Rovers.
James McPike’s side fought to try and get back into the game, but a resolute defence from the visitors saw the game out and secured them all three points.
The first chance of the game fell to the old gold 12 minutes in when Fabian Salmon had a left-footed shot from the edge of the area that was palmed away.
At the other end, a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Leo Shahar prevented Jake Batty from getting a shot away at goal.
A neat passing team move by Wolves then resulted in Mason Rees trying his luck from distance but his attempt whistled over the top of the bar.
Just before the break, Dominik Biniek headed wide from inside the area after meeting a free-kick delivered from the right as the two sides went into the break level following an evenly-contested half.
Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
Just four minutes after the half-time interval, the visitors took the lead as a cross was drilled in from the left and the unfortunate Fil Mabete sliced the ball into his own net when trying to clear the danger.
Adam Caddick looked to have doubled Rovers’ lead, but his effort from the edge of the area rattled the inside of the post and was subsequently cleared.
However, 10 minutes into the half and Blackburn did double their lead when Tom Atcheson’s header hit the post and Junior Nsangou fired home the rebound from close range.
McPike responded by making a couple of changes and it was one of those substitutes, Conor McLeod, who got involved in the action as he curled a free-kick just over the bar from an inviting position.
Nathan Dlamini had come on for the visitors and extended their lead when he showed good feet to dribble into the penalty area and slot home.
The final 10 minutes saw Wolves push to get back into the game but they were unable to breach a solid defence with the match ending 3-0.
Full-time | Wolves 0-3 Blackburn Rovers
REACTION
Following the defeat, McPike said the game was as tough as he had anticipated. He said: “It was difficult and a challenging game, we expected that from Blackburn. It was a really competitive game and they came as expected.”
On attacking intent
“I think the intent is still there, sometimes we are a bit loose on that final bit or that transitional pass.
“The thought to play forward and play a bit is still there, I just think we need to take a bit more care at times and in those moments.”
On conceding early after half-time
“I think we sat off them a bit too much out the gate, we tried to change the shape slightly to be a bit more compact, but I think we dropped a little bit too soon.”
On breaking teams down
“We maybe need a bit more going forward, a bit more support in that final third and more care in that final pass.
“We still created a couple of good chances so probably just that extra bit of care and final ball, and more support around Fabian (Salmon) in the final third.”
On playing again in three days
“We have to recover properly, they’ll get in the ice baths and things this afternoon to help them recover and they have to take some ownership too by eating the right things.
“Hopefully on Tuesday night we can give some of the other boys opportunities. Macca (Makenzie Bradbury) has played in there as an under-16 and done well, Fabian Salmon did well for us on Saturday, so we had chance to look at him down the middle as an under-16.
“We have been able to give these boys opportunities. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way in terms of the result, but it’s still positive giving opportunities to these boys.”
NEXT FIVE
- Everton 07/03 (A)
- Man City 18/03 (H)
- Liverpool 01/04 (A)
- Man United 12/04 (A)
- Leeds United 22/04 (H)
TEAMS
Wolves | Amos, Shahar, Diomande, Bradbury (Harper 64), Mabete (Scicluna 76), Carson, Edozie (White 56), Rees, Salmon, Esen, Reynolds (McCleod 56).
Subs not used | Patterson.
Blackburn |Blease, Dury, Batty (Powell 45), Atcheson, Litherland, Doherty, Belc (Boggan 75), Caddick, Nsangou (Dlamini 75), Edmondson, Biniek (Taylor 69).
Subs not used | Honor.
Report by Fraser Bishop
