Wolves 1 (Holman 47) Brighton 1 (Doyle 46)
Wolves under-21s secured a top 10 finish in Premier League 2 following a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night.
James Collins’ side rounded off the regular season with a point at Aggborough, which confirmed a play-off tie away to Sunderland and also ensured International Cup football next season.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, the Seagulls took the lead just seconds into the second period through Kamari Doyle, before Fletcher Holman levelled for the Old Gold just a minute later.
The home side conjured up the first opportunity of the evening through Owen Hesketh’s free-kick which fell to Alfie Pond a few yards out, but the defender didn’t quite get the contact required as he poked towards goal and Tom McGill was able to save before Owen Farmer blasted over.
At the other end, Luca Barrington’s delivery wasn’t cleared by Wolves and the ball was attacked by Ruairi McConville who rose well before seeing his header rattle back off the post.
Minutes later, Pond was in the thick of the action once again as he met another Hesketh free-kick but, this time, his downwards header was tipped wide by McGill.
Jimmy Storer was then called upon as the half drew to a close, with McConville rising highest from a corner, but the Wolves stopper reacted well to help the ball over the top of the bar.
Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Brighton
Brighton broke the deadlock within 30 seconds of the restart as Louis Flower did well to hold the ball up before cutting it back to where Doyle was waiting to clinically slot into the bottom right corner from just inside the area.
However, their lead didn’t last long and the Old Gold were level just over a minute after falling behind. Ben Jackson’s pass back to the goalkeeper was short and capitalised on by Holman who took full advantage, slotting beyond McGill to equalise.
Fletcher Holman capitalises to equalise! ⚽️#PL2 pic.twitter.com/eZh9z9xJNH
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 29, 2024
Brighton came close to regaining their lead with chances for Caylan Vickers and Doyle, before Storer superbly denied Josh Duffus to palm behind a header from the full-back. Meanwhile, Wolves substitute Enso Gonzalez saw an initial shot from a Holman cross blocked before the Paraguayan acrobatically fired wide.
Another substitute, Leo Lopes, enjoyed a lively cameo and he had the final opportunity to secure all three points but after Gonzalez had won the ball high up, Lopes saw his snapshot saved by McGill and the points were shared.
Full-time | Wolves 1-1 Brighton
NEXT UP
Wolves under-21s will travel to Sunderland in the round of 16 of the PL2 play-offs, with full details to be confirmed in due course.
TEAMS
Wolves | Storer, Ojinnaka, Keto-Diyawa, Whittingham, Okoduwa, Pond, Farmer (Gonzalez 62), Barnett, Holman (Lopes 78), Hesketh, Edozie (Roberts 78).
Subs not used | Mabete, Esen.
Brighton | McGill, Jackson (Nilsson 81), Slater, McConville, Kavanagh, Chouchane, Barrington, Mullins (Vickers 45+1), Flower, Doyle, Baker-Boaitey (Duffus 66).
Subs not used | Albarus, Hall.
