U17 PL Cup report | Stoke 1-2 Wolves

27th February 2024

Stoke 1 (Anderson 70) Wolves 2 (Angel 42, Ji 90)

Wolves advanced into the final of the U17 Premier League Cup as Minkyu Ji struck in the 90^th minute to secure victory at Stoke City.

Ji reacted quickest to tap home from close range after Dani Angel, who scored the opening goal shortly before half-time, had rattled the bar with a header.

Freddie Anderson equalised for the Potters on the 70-minute mark before the hosts were forced to play the final six minutes with 10 men following Dean Adekoya’s straight red card. And the Old Gold took full advantage with Ji pouncing in the nick of time to set up a final against either Chelsea or Manchester City for Richard Walker’s side.

In an evenly-balanced opening period, Wolves had the first sighter on goal when they won the ball back and Tom Edozie fed Angel who was in the box, however his touch sent him wide and he could only skew an effort off target.

At the other end, Lewys Benjamin made a big save with his feet as the goalkeeper made himself big to thwart Adekoya before Ali Hayder struck high and wide of the angle.

Alvin Ayman then drove from the Wolves midfield and got into a shooting position inside the area, but his effort was comfortably into the gloves of Casey Silitoe.

The away side had Benjamin again to thank for keeping the scoreline goalless as he was alert after a cross into the box found Josh Maskall at the back post.

Against the run of play, Wolves opened the scoring three minutes before the break. From a Stoke corner, the Old Gold broke through Tom Edozie and after a miskick clearance, he was able to win possession and thread an inch-perfect ball in behind to set Angel on his way. The striker showed the composure to round Silitoe and finish via the inside of the post from a tight angle.

Half-time | Stoke 0-1 Wolves

There was an early breakaway for Wolves in the second half as Edozie fed Ji who was fouled, but managed to play in Alfie White on the overlap. He crossed onto the head of Angel who was unable to direct on target, while he had another chance minutes later but couldn’t connect cleanly with his shot at the back post.

Stoke then came knocking and after Gabe Kelly headed over from a corner, the Potters found a way back into the tie on 70. A short corner saw Laurence Giani collect and cross onto the head of Anderson who rose highest in the centre to flick beyond Benjamin.

However, any momentum for the Potters going into the final minutes was halted as Adekoya was sent off for an off-the-ball incident with a Wolves man.

And as the clock struck 90, Walker’s side made their man advantage count as a patient period of play saw the ball worked out wide to Lennon Patterson. His inviting cross was right onto the head of Angel, however his effort rattled the bar and fell to the feet of Ji who couldn’t miss from a few yards out.

Full-time | Stoke 1-2 Wolves

COMING UP

Wolves under-18s host Everton in the U18 Premier League at Compton Park on Saturday.

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