Forest Green Rovers 3 (Marquez 46, Moore 62, Cradwell 67) Wolves 2 (Mane 53, Angel 87)
Wolves under-21s fell to a narrow defeat against Forest Green Rovers in the National League Cup on Tuesday evening.
Against an experienced side, Wolves showed persistence as they continued to fight back at the New Lawn stadium.
Mateus Mane and Dani Angel both found the net for the Old Gold in the second period in a courageous fightback.
The visitors were inches away from taking the lead in the early exchanges and were denied by some fantastic acrobatics from Fiachra Pagel.
Ty Barnett’s curled cross was perfect for Leo Lopes to head across goal, the original attempt crashed off the crossbar before Caden Voice’s follow-up was denied.
The hosts controlled the possession midway through the first half, which invited Wolves to press deeper into the final third in hope to regain possession in dangerous areas – this worked in favour for Mateus Mane and Lopes who fought for every ball.
Despite Wolves’ efforts to keep the visitors at bay, Jose Marquez’s header gave Forest Green the advantage.
Collins’ team were first out of the blocks after the interval and created an opportunity through Fletcher Holman, who struck over the crossbar.
Mane got a great birthday present in the 52nd minute when his strike got Wolves level.
The number 10 latched onto a loose ball before firing his effort into the bottom corner on the half-volley.
Despite the control the Young Wolves had gained, Isaac Moore regained the hosts advantage just after the hour mark.
Four minutes later, Harry Cardwell added a third goal with a calm finish.
McKenzie Bradbury remained a positive for the Old Gold and forced Pagel into a save from point-blank range.
Tom Edozie’s pass across the box was inch-perfect for Angel to tap home and give Wolves a lifeline in the final stages.
Unfortunately, despite all the late pressure from Wolves, it ended a second defeat in the National League Cup and now turn their attention to an away game against Arsenal in the Premier League 2.
LINEUPS
Wolves | Nasta, Ojinnaka (White 85), Voice, Okoduwa, Pond (Bradbury 46), Rawlings, Lopes (Angel 72), Barnett (Ji 79), Holman (Edozie 72), Mane, Sutherland.
Unused subs | Brooks, Olagunju.
Forest Green Rovers | Pagel, Kengni (Merret 1), McAllister (Balagizi 1), Knowles (Bamba 1), Clarke, Bunker, Moore, Cardwell, Kanu (Bonnick 1), Conteh (Aldridge 61), Marquez.
Unused subs | Walsh, Hughes.
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Written by Thomas Gibson
