U21 report | Wolves 2-3 Stoke

6th February 2023

Wolves 2 (Barnett 20, Scicluna 42) Stoke (Lowe 19, Tezgel 26, 76)

Wolves under-21s exited the Premier League Cup at the round of 16 stage, as Stoke City edged a five-goal thriller at Aggborough.

The Potters were pegged back twice inside the opening 45 minutes, but prevailed in the end, as Emre Tezgel’s back-heel with 14 minutes remaining secured their passage into the quarter-finals, just a minute after Ty Barnett was given his marching orders for picking up a second yellow card.

Wolves started on the front foot and had an early sight of the goal when Harry Birtwistle created space for himself and received the ball on the half-turn, but his final effort from the edge of the box was dragged comfortably wide.

Dylan Scicluna then crafted the first real chance of the game when he expertly played a ball through for Owen Farmer to latch onto. The attacker took a good first few touches, before stinging the palms of Tommy Simkin with a strike towards the near post.

At the other end, Kahrel Reddin received the ball on the right and made ground into the penalty area and fired a low effort that Palmi Arinbjornsson did well to hold onto in amongst the bodies.

It was the visitors who took the lead when Wolves lost the ball inside their defensive third as Scicluna’s loose pass was into the path of Nathan Lowe who made no mistake with his finish.

However, Wolves were behind for a little over a minute when they immediately responded with an equaliser. Scicluna’s ball around the corner found the run of Dexter Lembikisa and he did well to cut it back into a dangerous area where Barnett was waiting to pounce, firing low into the net.

We weren't behind for long 💪#PLCup pic.twitter.com/NaOeC8ds0q
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 6, 2023

The Potters regained the lead when Wolves were again caught in possession and this time it was Tezgel who was there to take advantage, coolly slotting under the body of Arinbjornsson.

The old gold had already responded once, so it was no surprise to see them do it a second time three minutes before half-time. Lembikisa’s cross was cleared, but only as far as Scicluna who, from just over 20 yards out, unleashed a stunning strike that nestled into the far corner out of Simkin’s reach.

Sensational from Scicluna 🚀#PLCup pic.twitter.com/zXG5ypsfDS
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 6, 2023

Half-time | Wolves 2-2 Stoke

It took 10 minutes of the second half to pass before the next opportunity was conjured up, and it came the way of Wolves – two of them, in fact. Nathan Fraser did well to receive the ball and turn on the edge before aiming for the bottom corner, but Simkin was equal to it. With the danger not yet cleared, Lembikisa teed up Barnett who shifted inside before looking to squeeze the ball inside the near post, however Simkin was there once again.

Fraser and Barnett are both denied by Simkin 😩#PLCup pic.twitter.com/oJEcwbeImr
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 6, 2023

The visitors remained competitive throughout with little to separate the two sides. Ben Kershaw lined up a free-kick in an appealing position but, despite getting good connection, the ball was always rising.

Wolves thought they were going to be given a free-kick in a dangerous position right on the edge, but the referee played advantage with the ball falling invitingly to the feet Owen Hesketh who could only shoot into Simkin’s gloves.

James Collins’ side were reduced to 10 men on 75 minutes when Barnett picked up a second booking of the evening for a late foul. And Stoke took full advantage just a minute or so later when the ball was delivered into the box and Tezgel was able to get hold of it, before producing a clever back-heel finish past Arinbjornsson.

The home side huffed and puffed with 10 men for the remaining minutes, but Stoke stood firm and were able to secure their passage into the final eight.

Full-time | Wolves 2-3 Stoke

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s host Arsenal at Compton Park in PL2 next Monday.

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