Wolves under-21s fought back from two goals down to salvage a point late on against Manchester United, with substitutes Tyler Roberts and Owen Farmer making all the difference under the lights on Friday evening.
The old gold looked dead and buried with 20 minutes to play, before Roberts gave James Collins’ side hope on 75 minutes. Then, with two minutes left on the clock, Farmer rose above his marker to glance home from a free-kick to ensure a share of the spoils at Aggborough.
The draw made it seven points out of nine for Wolves, who had Pedro Neto and Christian Marques in their ranks for the opening 45 minutes as the duo continued their returns back from injury.
United threatened early on, with Mateo Mejia firing just wide of the far post, before Noam Emeran cleared the crossbar after the home side had given away possession in their defensive third.
The deadlock was then broken with 18 minutes on the clock when the visitors got bodies forward and waiting to pounce in the centre was Omari Forson who rifled into the roof of the net following a cut-back into the penalty area.
Forson could’ve doubled his tally for the night when he was again left unmarked however, this time, the United man struck his effort over the bar after receiving the ball from Sam Murray.
Wolves found chances few and far between in the first half, but conjured up half an opportunity when Harry Birtwistle was found in behind down the right-hand side. After driving towards goal, he opted to look for Nathan Fraser in the centre, but the danger was snuffed out by the away defence in the nick of time.
Palmi Arinbjornsson was then called upon to ensure the scoreline remained at just one at the half-time interval, with the goalkeeper sticking out an out-stretched leg to deny Mejia who thought he was about to double the lead.
An important out-stretched leg from Palmi 👏#PL2 pic.twitter.com/JeoGVjNizN
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 24, 2023
Half-time | Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
United looked to start the second half where they had left off in the opening 45, with Forson and Dan Gore both seeing efforts creep just wide.
At the other end, Wolves began to threaten and Owen Hesketh had two chances in quick succession. The first was a shot which was dragged comfortably wide of the mark, before the second was much closer – a curling effort that had goalkeeper Nathan Bishop scrambling as the ball travelled just wide of the far post.
However, despite those promising moments, Man Utd doubled their lead with just over 20 minutes to play. This time, Forson turned provider as he raced into the space down the right-hand side and played the ball inside to Joe Hugill who had the simple task of slotting in from a few yards out.
Wolves were given hope six minutes later when Farmer and Roberts made a desired impact as the latter was on the spot to sweep home from inside the area after Farmer had fired across goal from the left.
Tyler Roberts reduces the deficit with 15 to play!#PL2 pic.twitter.com/yLUig8fHqJ
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 24, 2023
And Collins’ men weren’t done there as, with 88 minutes on the clock, they levelled through the other substitute. Hesketh’s free-kick from the right was on the money and into a dangerous area, before Farmer did the rest, getting a glancing touch to head past Bishop to complete the comeback.
Owen Farmer glances home an equaliser!#PL2 pic.twitter.com/pZmKMTxUov
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 24, 2023
Full-time | Wolves 2-2 Man Utd
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s are back in PL2 action a week on Sunday, with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion awaiting the youngsters.
NEXT FIVE
- 05/03 Brighton (A)
- 20/03 West Ham (H)
- 31/03 Everton (A)
- 10/04 Everton (H)
- 14/04 Fulham (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Arinbjornsson, Lembikisa, Keto-Diyawa (Agboola 87), Tipton, Marques (Kandola 46), Hubner, Birtwistle (Roberts 62), Hesketh, Fraser, Barnett (Harkin 72), Neto (Farmer 46).
Man Utd | Bishop, Jurado, Murray, Collyer (Wellens 78), Aljofree, Huddlestone, Mejia, Gore, Hugill, Forson, Emeran.
Subs not used | Mee, Hansen-Aaroen, Jackson, Nolan.
