Wolves’ Papa John’s Trophy journey was ended in the cruellest possible fashion as James Collins’ side lost on penalties to Manchester United at Molineux.
The old gold had been the better side and came close on a number of occasions, with Nathan Fraser’s strike being turned on to the post, either side of big opportunities for Harvey Griffiths and Chem Campbell, which went begging.
However, after failing to find the breakthrough, Wolves were sent to penalties, and Harry Birtwistle and Campbell both had spot kicks saved by Martin Bishop for United, who scored all four of their efforts to secure their passage in the competition.
The Papa John’s Trophy had posed different challenges to Saturday, but the under-21s began with the same application which saw them through the group stage, and when Campbell headed Dexter Lembikisa’s early cross wide, it displayed their intent.
The positive start continued when Fraser picked up the ball on halfway, and as his team mates dragged United defenders away for him, the space opened up, and the striker’s powerful drive was tipped on to the foot of the post by United stopper Bishop.
The Wolves dominance continued without the scoreline being affected, as Griffiths headed Aaron Keto-Diyawa’s cross wide from close range, before Dylan Scicluna’s snapshot flew wide of the mark and Fraser’s stinging effort was palmed over with the one hand of Bishop.
As the half wore on, the chances became scarcer, with Campbell continuing to be a presence out left, but when he drifted into the box on the stroke of half-time, he fired into the side netting, rather than looking for Fraser in the middle.
Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Man United
After the interval, Wolves continued to enjoy more possession and chances, and just after the hour mark Campbell worked his way into a shooting position but fired wide of the near post.
It took 74 minutes for United to test Andreas Sondergaard, and when Kobbie Maikoo tried his luck, the Wolves stopper wasn’t overly tested, similarly when Daniel Core dragged wide from inside the box.
As the contest neared its conclusion, proceedings became stretched, and no sooner had Sondergaard got down low to keep out Samuel Murray’s strike, Fraser had the ball in the United net, but he’d strayed beyond the last defender before heading home Joe Hodge’s cross.
It was Wolves who looked the likelier winner in the dying embers of the game, with Campbell’s goalbound shot blocked by some desperate United defending, as the cup tie went to penalties, where United prevailed.
Full-time | Wolves 0-0 Man United
- Marc Jurado (SCORES) | Wolves 0-1 Man United
- Joe Hodge (SCORES) | Wolves 1-1 Man United
- Charlie McNeil (SCORES) | Wolves 1-2 Man United
- Harry Birtwistle (MISSES) | Wolves 1-2 Man United
- Manni Norkett (SCORES) | Wolves 1-3 Man United
- Chem Campbell (MISSES) | Wolves 1-3 Man United
- Kobbie Maikoo (SCORES) | Wolves 1-4 Man United
COMING UP
Attention turns to another cup competition next in the Premier League Cup, with a trip to Sunderland on the horizon. The old gold have enjoyed a perfect start the campaign with wins over Reading and Sunderland, so nine points from nine will be the target in the north east.
NEXT FIVE
- 28/11 Sunderland (A) PLC
- 03/12 Cardiff City (A) PLC
- 07/12 Valencia (H) PLIC
- 10/12 Cardiff City (H) PLC
- 14/12 Wolfsburg (H) PLIC
TEAMS
Wolves | Sondergaard, Lembikisa, Pond, Tipton, Keto-Diyawa (Roberts 63), Hodge, Griffiths, Scicluna (Harkin 75), Birtwistle, Campbell, Fraser (Farmer 85).
Unused subs | Smith, Agboola, Kandola, Hodnett.
Man United | Bishop, Jurado, Mengi, Hardley, Murray, Huddlestone (Bennett 63), Savage, Mainoo, Core (Norkett 90), Shoretire, Emeran.
Unused subs | Harrison, McNeill, Fredericson.
