15-year-old Bradbury started the game in the heart of the midfield, while Clarke (also 15), Voice (16) and Reynolds (17) came off the bench in the second half. Collins has explained that the four youngsters played with “courage and bravery” which complimented the more senior in old gold, as Lee Harkin, Dylan Scicluna and Aaron Keto-Diyawa all scored and were effective throughout. With 10 players moving up to train with the first team, opportunities have opened up for others and Collins wants them all to grab it by the horns.
A special night for Makenzie Bradbury (15), Brayden Clarke (15), Caden Voice (16) and Fabian Reynolds (17) who all made their under-21s debut yesterday evening 👏 pic.twitter.com/igsRQtCBJY
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) December 1, 2022
On deserving the victory
“With the group we brought here, we had 15 and 16-year-olds on the pitch and I thought our performance was excellent.
“You have to earn the right at these places to play and I thought we came here, worked our socks off, won the second balls and earnt the right to play.
“Once we’d earnt the right to play, we played some good football, made a lot of forward runs, played balls in behind and caused them major problems.
“We’d worn them down by the end with our football, our energy and professionalism – I was thoroughly pleased with the performance.”
On opportunities for players
“We went to Sunderland the other night and we knew we had a fairly inexperienced team. A lot of the boys who have been doing very well have gone with the first team this last week.
“This group of boys are the boys who have been chomping at the bit to get opportunities in our team. Aaron (Keto-Diyawa), Hoddy (Jack Hodnett), Dongda (He) and Mitch (Michael Agboola) is coming back from a long-term injury – these aren’t boys who have been regulars in the team, these are boys who haven’t played.
“The next few weeks is a real opportunity for them because it’s come through other players leaving to play with the first team for a bit and they’ve got to grab it.
“At Sunderland for 20 minutes in the fog we didn’t – I was hugely disappointed and we got away with one there because we were poor.
“Tonight we played with much more energy, much more life and I was delighted.”
On the goals scored
“They were good moves and real goals, if you like. Aaron going through at the end I thought was the pick of them. A lovely little turn in midfield, combined and then got played in.
“Some of our forward passing and forward runs were very good. I’m more pleased for the individuals who have stood up and grabbed their opportunity – they’ve got to continue to do that against Cardiff and next Wednesday against Valencia.
“We’re going to be going into these games with a younger and less experienced team, so the players have got to step up.”
On four players making their under-21 debut
“To make an under-21 appearance against anyone at any level at 15 and 16 years of age is a real achievement and isn’t easy.
“I thought they played with courage, with bravery. Macca got on the ball and really wanted the ball. I thought he could’ve turned more and he did as the game wore on, as he grew in confidence. He got a bit of cramp in his calf late on in the game and had to come off.
“Fabian did really well and had a couple of chances to top off his good play. Voicey came on and I could hear him talking on the far side and getting the line up which is terrific for a young lad to come on and make that sort of impact. Brayden came on and looked really solid, steady and kept the ball. They all showed why they were picked to come, took their opportunity and hopefully they’ll get more.”
On personnel within the group
“As an under-21 group at the moment, we’re decimated because Hodgey, Hugo and Chem have established themselves with the first team which is absolutely brilliant. We’ve then got 10 training with the first team for the next three weeks which again is brilliant, but it means we’re 13 players short of what we’ve been for the last 12 months.
“It’s an opportunity. Any time somebody leaves the team or isn’t in the team, someone else can come in and grab that opportunity.”
