A Ben Fyles penalty condemned Wolves under-21s to a narrow defeat against Blackburn Rovers, in a Premier League 2 encounter the old gold dominated and saw several chances go begging.
James Collins made two changes to the side that defeated Sunderland in the Premier League Cup on Thursday, as Louie Moulden replaced Palmi Arinbjornsson in between the sticks and Fil Mabete came in for Alfie Pond in the heart of the defence.
Wolves threatened from the outset at a wet and windy Compton Park, as Dylan Scicluna tried his luck with a drive from distance that flashed just wide of the post.
30' | #WOL 0-0 #BLA
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 8, 2023
A goalless opening 30 minutes here at Compton. Dylan Scicluna went close early on with a low drive that flashed just wide of the mark.#PL2 pic.twitter.com/lM6Y1QtbBL
Tyler Roberts was looking to maintain his performance levels following an impressive start to the New Year, and was a nuisance over on the right-hand side. The winger picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove at the Rovers defence, before cutting into the box and seeing his final effort blocked at the last.
The same side of the pitch conjured up the next opportunity as Harry Birtwistle made a clever run and was picked out, before firing in a cross that agonisingly evaded Nathan Fraser and Owen Farmer in the centre.
Blackburn’s best chance of the opening 45 came on the break when the ball was worked out to Zak Gilsenan who steadied himself and flashed a strike wide of Moulden’s far post.
Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
The second half began in a similar vein to the first and Wolves were ever so close to breaking the deadlock when they created the best chance of the game. Farmer came in from the left and delivered a sumptuous cross onto the head of Fraser who did everything right, but watched the ball cannon back off the inside of the post.
Nathan Fraser can't get much closer than this! 😩#PL2 pic.twitter.com/IZMxzakXcM
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 8, 2023
It seemed the footballing gods weren’t in favour of the home side as Blackburn went up the other end and were awarded a penalty. Fyles was the man on the end of a cut-back and his shot towards goal was judged to have hit the hand of Oliver Tipton, as the referee pointed to the spot. After winning the penalty, Fyles stepped up and sent Moulden the wrong way to give Rovers the lead against the run of play.
Wolves looked for an immediate response and almost got it when Fraser met a Roberts cross with a clever flick at the near post that was saved by Jordan Eastham, before Mabete found himself free in the box on three occasions. The defender could only divert a header into the gloves of the goalkeeper and was then denied by the Blackburn stopper twice in the same phase of play.
Nathan Fraser can't get much closer than this! 😩#PL2 pic.twitter.com/IZMxzakXcM
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 8, 2023
Collins’ men battled in search of a leveller, with Roberts and Harvey Griffiths both forcing Eastham into saves, before the was one final chance in the last minute of added time.
Substitute Ty Barnett crossed for Mabete in the centre who once again had the freedom of the Blackburn penalty area, but could only nod over the top with the final action of the game.
Full-time | Wolves 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s are back in PL2 action on Friday evening, as Collins takes his side to face Chelsea.
NEXT FIVE
- 13/01 Chelsea (A)
- 18/01 Celtic (H) PLIC
- 23/01 Tottenham (A)
- 27/01 Liverpool (H)
- 13/02 Arsenal (H)
TEAMS
Wolves | Moulden, Birtwistle, Keto-Diyawa (Hubner 79), Griffiths, Mabete, Tipton, Roberts, Scicluna (Barnett 67), Fraser, Hesketh, Farmer (Hodnett 84).
Subs not used | Scott, Arinbjornsson.
Blackburn Rovers | Eastham, Haddow, Gent, Gamble (Saadi 64), Davies, O’Grady, Fyles (Biniek 90+4), Weston (Caddick 63), Burns, Gilsenan (Nsangou 64), Harlock (Montgomery 46).
