Wolves 3 (Reynolds 12, Salmon 27, McLeod 51) Stoke City 0
Wolves under-18s moved up into third spot after a comprehensive win over Stoke City, which included goals in both halves and a solid defensive display.
The Old Gold were quick out the blocks, opening the scoring in the 12th minute through Fabian Reynolds, before Fabian Salmon doubled the lead, and Conor McLeod’s second half strike sealed victory.
Before taking the lead, Wolves suffered an early set back, as Finlay Ashworth went off injured after being fouled inside his own half, setting the tone for a physical encounter.
Wolves’ first meaningful attack of the game broke the deadlock, as Reynolds drove into the penalty area, and saw his deflected cross deceive the goalkeeper at the near post and nestle in the far corner.
Following this, Richard Walker’s side were on top and nearly doubled their lead, with Reynolds heavily involved again, this time linking up with Fraser Harper, who teed the winger up with a cut back from the byline, but McLeod’s side footed shot was thwarted by the legs of Ruben Brammer.
At the other end, the visitors nearly drew level in the 22nd minute, when the ball was cleared as far as Josh Maskall in the box, the forward then stabbed an effort goalwards that clipped the top of the bar.
However, the response to this warning sign was perfect, as five minutes later it was two nil, when a wicked Testimony Igbinoghene cross from the left was met by Salmon, who powerfully headed home from close range.
At this point, Wolves were well on top and their lead was nearly increased further before the break, as some superb attacking football led to various chances being created.
First, an intricate passing move led to Harper and Salmon playing a one-two, as the forward’s backheel was perfectly weighted, before Harper’s effort went narrowly wide of the far post.
Harper was heavily involved again, as the midfielder was pulling the strings and dictating play, his lofted pass over the top put Reynolds through on goal, but after some neat footwork to round the keeper, the winger’s effort from an acute angle found the side netting. Before, some forward-thinking inside the Wolves half saw a free-kick be taken quickly and set Harper clean through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide of the near post.
With that, the half-time whistle went and Wolves went into the break two goals to the good after a controlled first 45 minutes, and they would have been slightly disappointed to not have scored more which their attacking play had deserved.
Half-time | Wolves 2-0 Stoke City
It was an even start to the second half with the early exchanges being competitive but, in similar fashion to the first period, Wolves’ first chance of the half resulted in a goal.
Six minutes after the restart, McLeod picked up the ball outside the area before unleashing a powerfully struck effort which, via a deflection, found the back of the net and stretched the Old Gold’s advantage.
A couple of substitutes were introduced on the hour mark, as Dani Angel and Tom Edozie were introduced for some fresh legs, and to freshen up the forward line, before the visitors were forced to change goalkeepers following an injury.
It was the substitute Edozie who got straight into the action, teeing up Igbinoghene, whose left footed shot from inside the area was kept out.
Edozie then tried his own luck as some fancy footwork and jinking feet saw him work some space on the edge of the area, before his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
With five minutes left on the clock, two substitutes combined, as recently-introduced Lennon Patterson’s pinpoint cross was met at the back post by Angel who, to his own disbelief, was kept out by a stunning point-blank save by Micheal Zietzen to keep it to three.
The final few minutes saw Wolves manage the game professionally, keeping the ball well and staying fully focused, with the match finishing 3-0 with the scoreline reflecting a dominant display in all aspects.
Full time | Wolves 3-0 Stoke City
NEXT FIVE
Manchester City (A) 11/11
AFC Wulfrunians (A) 14/11 Birmingham Senior Cup
Reading (H) 25/11
Manchester United (A) 02/12
Liverpool (H) 16/12
TEAMS
Wolves | Benjamin, Clarke, Carson, Rees, Voice, Igbinoghene, Reynolds, Ashworth (Bradbury 11), Salmon (Angel 60) Harper (Patterson 84), McLeod (Edozie 60).
Subs not used | Hardy
Stoke City | Brammer (Zeitzen 64) Anderson, Challinor, Agina, Dixon, Adekoya, Walker, Maskall (Kelly 61), Mears, Ali, Enright (Ogbebor 62).
Subs not used | Togo, Nzau.
Report by Fraser Bishop
