Wolves 0 AFC Bournemouth 0
Wolves under-21s and AFC Bournemouth took a share of the spoils in the Premier League Cup on Friday evening.
There was little to separate the two sides on the night at the New Bucks Head, although the Old Gold will have felt they created the better of the chances in the goalless draw.
Wolves had some defending to do early on after Joe Young was caught on the ball a few yards away from his line, but Justin Hubner was quick to get back on the line and the goal-bound attempt was cleared by the home skipper.
There was little to report in the opening half an hour, that was until Bruno Jordao took matters into his own hands. The midfielder collected the ball with a neat bit of skill as he lifted the ball over his man before jinking past another and striking from distance, as the shot arrowed inches wide of the left-hand post.
Only just wide from Bruno Jordao!#PLCup pic.twitter.com/UbECnl3n4O
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) October 6, 2023
At the other end Dominic Sadi found himself free in the penalty area and had time as the ball dropped to his feet, but the Bournemouth man skewed his shot well wide from an inviting position.
Both goalkeepers then had to be alert in quick succession as Cam Plain saved Josh Esen’s dipping effort at the second attempt, before Joe Young sprung into action to thwart Nathan Moriah-Welsh.
Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Bournemouth
Wolves were dominant in the early minutes of the second 45 and played with much more intent as they came back out in Telford.
After coming close in the first half, Jordao once again tried his luck after Marvin Kaleta’s cross was cleared only as far as the Portuguese who pulled a firm hit wide of the post.
The same man then played his part in a swift counter-attack as he played in Owen Farmer down the left. The forward close in towards goal and although his touch took him slightly wide, he still managed to shoot towards the near post, but Plain stood firm to save.
A swift counter as Owen Farmer is denied by Plain!#PLCup pic.twitter.com/jwa4SiUqIo
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) October 6, 2023
James Collins made use of all five of his changes throughout the second period as Ethan McLeod, Harry Birtwistle, Tawanda Chirewa, Matty Whittingham and Owen Hesketh were all brought on in hope of providing a much needed spark.
As both sides eyed a goal that would break the deadlock, it was substitute Birtwistle who found himself high up, but he could only head into the gloves of the goalkeeper from a cross into the area.
And goalless was how the game remained as the teams took a share of the spoils – a clean sheet and point in matchday two of the Premier League Cup.
Wolves remain unbeaten in the competition having picked up a 2-2 draw in their opening fixture at Norwich City, before collecting a second point against the Cherries.
Full-time | Wolves 0-0 Bournemouth
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s travel to League One side Lincoln City on Tuesday evening in their second EFL Trophy group stage fixture.
NEXT FIVE
- 10/10 Lincoln City (A) EFL Trophy
- 16/10 PSV (H) PLIC
- 30/10 Southampton (H)
- 03/11 Nottingham Forest (A)
- 07/11 Derby County (A) EFL Trophy
TEAMS
Wolves | Young, Kaleta, Keto-Diyawa, Ojinnaka (Chirewa 70), Kandola, Hubner, Esen (Birtwistle 70), Jordao, Chiwome (E. McLeod 66), Rees (Whittingham 79), Farmer (Hesketh 79).
Bournemouth | Plain, Tonks, Boutin, Wadham, Kinsey, Greenwood, Moriah-Welsh, Sadi, Adu-Adjei, Gonzalez, Williams.
Subs | Seeley, Okoh, Tydeman, Landa.
