Nottingham Forest 2 (Konate 13, 19) Wolves (Barnett 35, Whittingham 56)
Wolves under-21s came from two goals behind to claim a share of the spoils at Nottingham Forest on Friday evening.
An Ateef Konate brace gave Forest a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes, however the youngsters in Old Gold fought back to take home a point thanks to goals from Ty Barnett and Matty Whittingham.
It was the home side who had the first opportunity of the game and it came courtesy of Konate who did well to win the ball back before curling an attempt just wide of Jimmy Storer’s right-hand post.
However, it was second time lucky for Konate who opened the scoring on 13 minutes as his free-kick from a tight angle evaded everyone in the centre and nestled into the bottom corner.
Forest had their tails up and almost doubled their lead immediately as Brandon Aguilera fired wide after some neat footwork inside the area.
The visitors looked to respond and came forward through Enso Gonzalez who was unable to keep his effort down.
And Forest went right back up the other end and doubled their advantage inside 20 minutes. It was Konate once again who was causing problems for the backline and as he moved inside from the left and saw an initial effort blocked, he was quickest to the loose ball to strike a powerful effort past Storer from the edge of the box for his and Forest’s second.
Wolves realised they were in a game and began to move the ball much quicker and with intent. Barnett was found with a ball over the top by Kam Kandola, but Will Brook was equal to his low strike.
That attack proved to be the catalyst as Barnett reduced the deficit on the 35-minute mark. Owen Hesketh made a crucial intervention on the edge of his own box before Barnett drove into the Forest half with the ball and played it out wide to Harry Birtwistle. The right-back did well to cut inside his man and find Barnett, who had continued his run, before taking a touch and clinically finding the bottom corner.
Ty Barnett gets us back into the game 💪#PL2 pic.twitter.com/9zv28urZzi
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) November 3, 2023
James Collins’ side kept pushing as the half-time whistle grew closer as both Gonzalez and Leon Chiwome saw good opportunities with their head come and go.
Half-time | Forest 2-1 Wolves
Wolves had a couple of scares early into the second period as Chiwome stuck out a leg in the opposing penalty area but no spot kick was rightly given, before a ball was flashed across the face of the goal with no one there to take advantage for Forest.
At the other end, Gonzalez showed some neat close control before laying it off for Whittingham to strike, but the midfielder was unable to keep his effort down.
However, minutes later, Whittingham drew Wolves level with his first strike in Old Gold. His run from midfield was spotted with a ball over the top by Kandola and Whittingham was able to bring it down and finish beyond goalkeeper Brook.
A first goal in Old Gold for Matty Whittingham ⚽️#PL2 pic.twitter.com/MvhLoPxmzy
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) November 3, 2023
If any side was going to win it, it looked to be Wolves as both Owen Farmer and Josh Esen entered the pitch for the final quarter. And it was Farmer who had half an opening at the back post when the ball dropped to his feet, but Kyle McAdam was quickly out to block.
The visitors pushed for a late winner, but were unable to make their dominance pay and had to settle for a hard-fought point on the road.
Full-time | Forest 2-2 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s take on Derby County on Wednesday evening in their final Bristol Street Motors Trophy group stage game.
NEXT FIVE
- 08/11 Derby (A) EFL Trophy
- 12/11 Charlton Athletic (H) PL Cup
- 24/11 Sparta Prague (H) International Cup
- 29/11 OGC Nice (H) International Cup
- 04/12 Leicester (A)
TEAMS
Forest | Brook, Hammond, Powell, Thompson (McAdam 63), Abbott, Hanks, Perkins, McDonnell, Konate, Perry (Norkett 79), Aguilera (Larsson 63).
Subs not used | Bott, Clarridge.
Wolves | Storer, Birtwistle, Keto-Diyawa, Jordao, Kandola, Hubner, Hesketh (Kaleta 88), Whittingham, Chiwome (Esen 75), Barnett (Farmer 62), Gonzalez (E. McLeod 88).
Subs not used | Young.
