Derby 2 (Allen 21, Davidson pen 42) Wolves 3 (Reynolds 16, Edozie 54, Harper 58)
Wolves under-18s returned to U18 Premier League action with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory away to Derby County.
Richard Walker’s side led early on through Fabian Reynolds, but Cruz Allen’s equaliser and Jayden Davidson’s penalty gave the Rams the advantage heading into the half-time break.
However, the Old Gold came out fighting and were level on 54 minutes through Tom Edozie, before Fraser Harper scored what proved to be the winner four minutes later to make it seven points from a possible nine.
The game was the first for the group since returning back from South Korea earlier in the week, where nine of the players in the squad were involved in the International Youth Cup.
Meanwhile, Lewys Benjamin (Wales U19) and Caden Voice (England U18) had returned to Compton following time away on international duty.
Full-time | Derby 2-3 Wolves
REACTION
Speaking after the game, head coach Walker praised his side for the togetherness and bravery shown throughout the 90 minutes, explaining how it would’ve been easy to point to excuses such as the travel back from South Korea and international duty.
On the first half
“I thought it showed all the ingredients required to win a game of football. In the first half we played really well between the boxes.
“We showed bravery to play, broke lines really well with our passing, created moments that we should’ve capitalised on and didn’t quite have enough belief or enough conviction in and around the box to put them to the sword.
“At the other end, we were a little bit sloppy in defensive moments and it offered them a bit of hope against the run of play. We came in 2-1 down at half-time and I was really pleased with large aspects of the play, with and without the ball.
“In both boxes in the first half, they ultimately edged it and that’s where the game’s won or lost.”
On coming back in the second half
“In the second half we came out and continued to play really well but looked a lot more solid defensively, hence we then got in front.
“It was two really good goals from Tom Edozie and Fraser Harper that got us ahead. For the next 10 minutes we controlled the game with the ball.
“They started to pick up momentum and then the players showed a different side of the game that you need to win football matches and to be able to have a career.
“Our structure was really good and our desire to defend was really good. Even in those moments, I still felt we’d be more likely to score than them.”
On returning from Korea and showing team spirit
“That’s a massive thing. The lads have had a real slog – they’ve had to deal with jet lag and a ridiculous schedule of fixtures in terms of the physical demand albeit a great experience.
“They could’ve easily came here and had a million excuses why they couldn’t perform, and they didn’t.
“We’ve had lads away on international duty that have also had emotional as well as physical tests.
“To a man, I thought they showed real team spirit, real togetherness, real bravery to implement the game plan and I’m delighted for them.
“It’s the second time this season that we’ve come back from behind and it shows that character.”
NEXT FIVE
Middlesbrough (H) 23/09
Southampton (A) 26/09 PL Cup
Nottingham Forest (A) 30/09
Leeds United (H) 07/10
Manchester United (H) 21/10
TEAMS
Derby | Thompson, Perry, Gill, Eames, Osayande, Robinson, Simons (Tola 56), McAndrew (Oguntolu 86), Wheeldon, Allen, Davidson (Agustien 67).
Subs not used | Gordon, Price.
Wolves | Benjamin, Carson, Clarke, Bradbury, Voice, Igbinoghene, Reynolds, Ashworth, Salmon, Harper (C. McLeod 62), Edozie (Patterson 80).
Subs not used | Hardy, Ji, Plank.
