The old gold played on the front foot throughout the 90 minutes and created numerous chances in front of goal, but were unable to convert as they drew a blank at Molineux. However, head coach Collins has praised the display of a team that included players returning back from injury and several within the squad who were under the age 18.
On putting in a strong performance
“I thought our performance was excellent. To come into the game at Molineux with the group we’ve got and to perform like that – we dominated the game and created a lot of chances.
“I think they had two moments and took them. That’s something we’ll have to learn from but, from an all-round performance perspective, I thought we were the better team.
“I just wish we’d given the supporters something to cheer about with a goal. There’s been a few games in this competition where we’ve done ok, but we haven’t taken our chances.
“In the other two games we didn’t create much, but in this game we did. It’s just disappointing we didn’t take the chances.”
On playing higher up and with more intensity
“Often we sit in a block and are hard to get through. Tonight, with the players we had out, I thought we’d get our best chances if we put some pressure on them at the top end of the pitch.
“We wanted to win it back higher which gives us more opportunities, and it worked out that way. We had more chances tonight than we’ve had in any of our games this season.
“However, we didn’t take them, and often when you’re pressing like that, one mistake means you’re one v one, two v two, three v three, and we gave them two goals from nothing.”
On giving opportunities to more youngsters
“It’s another great learning experience. We had some young boys on the pitch and a couple of boys who aren’t part of the Youth Cup squad – James (McPike) has picked his squad and we’ve got the extras, if you like.
“It was a real mixed bag of a team for us who haven’t played before and I felt they picked up the tactical stuff very well.”
On players returning from injury and the more senior players stepping up
“Tonight we got Owen Hesketh on the pitch who hasn’t played for six months and has had to play a full game tonight. Jack Scott hasn’t played for months, he’s been injured and has played over an hour. Luke Matheson came on and did the same for 20 minutes at the end.
“Lee Harkin always gives everything, Dylan Scicluna always gives everything. Jack Hodnett has had a lot of opportunities in these last few weeks and has grabbed them.
“They’ve performed well, they’ve played well, but one of them has got to produce that bit of class in the key moments to win or draw a game for us.”
