Wolves U23s suffered a heavy defeat as they were dismantled by Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux in their final Premier League 2 fixture of the season.
The first half was well-contested with both sides having chances in the opening stages of the game.
It was in added time at the end of the first half that the game turned as Aaron Connolly turned home a cross to send the visitors in, leading at the break.
Following the interval, the game continued in the way that the first half finished as Connolly added two to complete his hat trick, while Viktor Gyokeres scored a fourth and Danny Mandroiu, a fifth, to send home the visitors with all three points.
During a largely uneventful first half, it was the visitors who had the first sight of goal as Max Sanders played a long ball over the top for Aaron Connolly to run on to. The Brighton forward carried the ball into the box before shooting low to Andreas Sondergaard’s right. Making his debut for Wolves Under 23s, the goalkeeper made a smart save with his feet and Wolves were able to clear.
Wolves grew into the game and had a chance to take the lead in the 17th minute. Jose Xavier produced a delightful ball to play in Sherwin Seedorf, he then looked to square it to Niall Ennis who waiting with an open goal to aim at. Henrik Bjordal managed to clamber back for the visitors and was able to prevent the ball from reaching Ennis with a sliding interception.
The hosts had another chance at goal minutes later as Pedro Goncalves shot wide of the post as he was found by Niall Ennis inside the Brighton box.
After having the better of the first half, Wolves found themselves a goal behind as Brighton took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Henrik Bjordal’s cross was met by Aaron Connolly who stroked the ball home from 10 yards out.
HT - Wolves 0-1 Brighton
Wolves began the second half slowly and the visitors had two big chances to double their advantage as Madnroiu and Connolly went close with chances.
It wasn't long until the visitors did eventually double their lead as Aaron Connolly scored his second of the night, calmly stroking the ball beyond Sondergaard from six yards out.
Wolves struggled to get going in the second half and Connolly compounded Wolves' pain in the 59th minute as he beat the offside trap before sliding the ball past Sondergaard and completing his hat trick.
Sherwin Seedorf was a threat throughout the game and almost gave Wolves a conciliation with 25 minutes remaining. The tricky winger beat his man before looking to curl the ball into the far corner, only to see his effort clip the post and bounce wide.
Brighton didn't sit on their lead as Viktor Gyokeres was on hand to meet a Ales Mateju cross to add a fourth for the visitors.
And the scoring didn't stop there as Danny Mandroiu struck a superb free kick to complete the scoring.
FT - Wolves 0-5 Brighton
Wolves: Sondergaard, Lattie, Leak (Sanderson 76'), Goodliffe, Levingston, Watt, Goncalves, Seedorf, Heredia (Hanne 71'), Xavier (Ashley-Seal 59'), Ennis.
Unused subs: Osbourne, Yang.
