U21 report | Middlesbrough 3-2 Wolves

A brace from substitute Jeremy Sivi condemned Wolves under-21s to a late defeat at Middlesbrough on Friday evening.

Despite going behind early on, Wolves went into the break leading thanks to Nathan Fraser’s spectacular equaliser and Owen Hesketh’s penalty on the stroke of half-time.

However, Sivi’s introduction at the interval proved to be inspired, as the Boro attacker netted twice inside the final 13 minutes to win the game for his side. His second came three minutes from time to snatch all three points, as Wolves were left wondering how they left a Premier League 2 encounter empty-handed for the third game running.

Wolves started on the front foot and came close early on through Hesketh. The midfielder was able to pounce on a poor clearance from Fraser’s low cross, before Hesketh struck low and saw his effort saved by the legs of Henry Popple.

Moments later, it was Fraser in the centre who was able to get on the end of Harry Birtwistle’s cross. The striker was unmarked, but could only head directly at Popple who saved well.

The visitors pressed high and almost got their reward through it as Fraser nipped in ahead of the goalkeeper, but Boro skipper Jack Hannah did well to get back on the line to prevent an opener.

However, despite their positive start, it was the home side who took the lead from the penalty spot against the run of play. Marvin Kaleta brought Callum Kavanagh down inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot – Kavanagh stepped up and calmy sent Palmi Arinbjornsson the wrong way from 12 yards after 14 minutes.

Wolves were on level terms just as the half-hour mark passed, and it was in some style too. Harry Birtwistle did superbly to intercept on the halfway before chasing his own flick-on out to the right-hand side. He crossed expertly for Fraser who met the ball on the volley with the side of his boot, before watching a first-time effort fly into the top right corner.

Nathan Fraser, that is some finish 😮‍💨#PL2 pic.twitter.com/GPZivN1azZ

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) August 25, 2023

James Collins’ side turned the game around on the stroke of half-time as Arinbjornsson’s goal kick went over everyone and was latched onto by Owen Farmer, before the attacker rounded the goalkeeper and was brought down. Hesketh stepped up from 12 yards and emphatically dispatched his penalty to give Wolves the lead at the break.

Half-time | Middlesbrough 1-2 Wolves

Wolves were keen to add a third early into the second period as Farmer was released down the left-hand and shot towards goal, but it rolled wide via a deflection.

And Fraser was in the thick of the action once again, this time taking the ball down at the back post and just as he thought the opening to strike on goal was there, the striker had his effort blocked at the last by the Boro defence.

There was little action for the majority of the second half, although that soon changed when Middlesbrough equalised out of the blue on 77 minutes. Substitute Sivi snuck in at the back post to meet a deep cross and poke beyond Arinbjornsson to level the scores.

And Boro and Sivi were able to do even better as they snatched a winner with three minutes remaining on the clock. Max Howells saw his cross come back off the frame of the goal, before Sivi was on hand to somehow squeeze the rebound in with Kam Kandola unable to clear on the line.

Full-time | Middlesbrough 3-2 Wolves

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s are back in action next Friday evening as they host Crystal Palace at Aggborough.

NEXT FIVE

• 01/09 Crystal Palace (H)
• 12/09 Notts County (A) EFL Trophy
• 19/09 Norwich City (A) PL Cup
• 24/09 Liverpool (A)
• 02/10 Leeds (H)

TEAMS

Middlesbrough | Popple, Sykes, Bilongo, Agyemang, Hannah, Beales (Traore 46), Simpson (Lindo 64), Bridge (Sivi 46), Kavanagh, Nkrumah (John 75), Howells.

Subs not used | Fisher.

Wolves | Arinbjornsson, Birtwistle, Ket-Diyawa, Kaleta (E. McLeod 75), Kandola, Hubner, Rees, Jordao, Fraser, Hesketh, Farmer

Subs not used | Voice, Young, Ashworth, Edozie.