Report by Callum Doughty
Wolverhampton Wanderers U18s picked up their first win of the season thanks to a 4-1 victory over local rivals West Bromwich Albion U18s.
Goals from Luke Cundle, Aaron Crabtree, Jaden Forrester and Conor Carty cancelled out a Louie Barry strike for the visitors.
It was the home side who started the better of the two teams and took an early lead courtesy of Luke Cundle. A good move down the Wolves left saw the ball fall to the midfielder, who tucked the ball home.
Despite all their pressure, Wolves were unable to extend their lead before half-time. Forrester, Perry and Richards all went close, but Wolves could only take a one goal lead into the break.
The second-half began in similar vein to the first, although the visitors were more in the game and created some chances themselves.
However, Wolves soon scored two in quick succession to put the result beyond doubt. After great work by Callum Thompson down the right, the ball was eventually headed home by Crabtree before fantastic work by Forrester created an opening for himself, and he finished well from a tight angle to put Wolves three up.
Barry then pulled one back for the visitors after a mazy run and an emphatic finish.
Wolves’ victory was then made even more emphatic after Conor Carty tapped home from close range. A great reverse ball from Taylor Perry played in Taylor Townsend who raced towards the West Brom goal and squared the ball for Carty to tap home.
Despite the goal-scoring exploits of his outfield teammates, James Pardington in the Wolves goal was not to be outshone, saving a last-minute Barry penalty.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH:
Wolves’ second goal of the game, courtesy of Aaron Crabtree, was a vital moment in this match. The hosts had been dominating but were not making the most of their chances and West Brom were growing in confidence. Scrappy as this goal may have been, it was certainly the key moment of the match.
QUOTES:
Wolves manager Darren Ryan thought that his side were the best team throughout. He said: ‘’For the majority of the game I thought we dominated. It was a thoroughly good performance in and out of possession.
‘’Really pleased for the lads for them to get their first win of the season, but you know those performances have been coming for the last few weeks. The two goals in quick succession killed their momentum, they were important goals.’’
COMING UP:
Next up for Wolves U18s is a trip to face Stoke City next Saturday 22ndSeptember, kick off is 11am.
NEXT FIVE:
22/09- Stoke City (A)
06/10- Middlesbrough (H)
20/10- Liverpool (H)
27/10- Manchester City (A)
03/11- Manchester United (A)
TEAMS:
WOLVES: Pardington, Crabtree, Taylor, Richards, Berkoe, Thompson, Parker, Cundle, Perry, Townsend, Forrester.
WEST BROM: Cann; White, Martinez, Williams, Dyce; Taylor, Brown, Ashton; Soule, Gardner-Hickman, Asomugha
