Burnley (Mellon 75) 1 Wolves 2 (Holman 25, Edozie 90+4)
Wolves under-21s had a positive start to their Premier League 2 campaign after a dominant victory over Burnley on Monday evening.
Fletcher Holman’s first-half strike gave Wolves the advantage before Michael Mellon levelled the score – but it was substitute Tom Edozie’s goal which proved to be the difference between the sides.
The opening 15 minutes of the new season was tense for both sides, the ball consistently ping-ponged back and forth with neither side getting control of the game, but Wolves had created the better chances.
Ethan Sutherland got past his marker to deliver an inch-perfect cross which found Holman, but his effort was palmed away by Charlie Casper in the Burnley goal.
Wolves continued to probe at the Clarets’ defence, and moments later, Casper denied Holman again, as well as Mateus Mane from point-blank range.
Holman eventually got the goal he deserved goal in the 25th minute to give Wolves the lead.
Exploding past two Burnley defenders, his initial effort was saved by Casper, but it rebounded into the path of the number nine who tapped the ball into an unguarded net.
Wolves continued their impressive start into the second half and were inches away from doubling their lead when Caden Voice’s header struck the crossbar.
The hosts started to pile on the pressure after the hour mark, but Wolves defended in numbers to deny any sights on Josh Gracey’s goal.
But despite Wolves’ defending, Mellon got Burnley level with a neat finish over the visiting keeper.
Chances were limited for the young Wolves, and with ten minutes to play, Holman drifted past Casper, but the goalkeeper was able to recover and deny the forward a golden opportunity.
Mane was a highlight for the Old Gold, consistently driving Wolves forward into spaces, and with the game coming to a close, he played a delicate pass into Edozie, who turned into space and fired his strike into the bottom corner.
The resilience of Collins’ side was clear for all to see, and they will next face Stoke City on Friday at the Aggborough Stadium.
LINE UPS
Wolves | Gracey, Okoduwa, Pond (Voice 72), Sutherland, Barnett (Edozie 82), Griffiths (Bradbury 82), Olagunju (Dayman 72), Lembikisa, Mane, Holman (Angel 88), Rawlings.
Burnley | Casper, McEvilly (Clark 64), Ashton, Campbell, Pimlott, Leuluai (Tweedy 77), McCoy, Blackie, McMahon-Brown (Ryan 77), Mellon, Benson (Masara 64).
Unused subs | Chester.
NEXT FIVE
22/08/2025 | Stoke City (H) PL2
29/08/2025 | Blackburn Rovers (H) PL2
02/09/2025 | Stockport County (A) EFLT
10/09/2025 | Real Madrid (H) PLIC
16/09/2025 | Forest Green Rovers (A) NLC
Written by Thomas Gibson
