Premier League Cup fight back pleases Edwards

Wolves under-23s fought back from a goal down to claim a well-deserved point away at Swansea City in the Premier League Cup.

Head coach Rob Edwards made six changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Lincoln City in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night, with Andreas Sondergaard, Daniel Csoka, Oskar Burr, Carlos Heredia, Paulo Alves and Austin Samuels all being introduced into the starting 11.

Wolves had the better of the chances in the first half, with Samuels bringing out a good save from the Swansea goalkeeper when he was through one-on-one.

But neither team was able to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes as the sides went into the break goalless.

Against the run of play, Wolves found themselves going behind shortly into the second half, but Edwards’ side rallied and got their equaliser through Benny Ashley-Seal who, after putting pressure on the Swansea back line, nicked the ball and powered through on goal before slotting past the home team’s keeper.

In the closing stages of the match Wolves went on the chase for the winning goal, but despite their efforts the visitors had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The point keeps Wolves at the top of the Group E table with four points after the first two group matches, one point ahead of Oxford United who face Hull City on Monday night.

QUOTES:

Following the match, Edwards said: “We definitely had the better chances to win the game, especially after going one-nil down early in the second half due to a mistake in our build up.

“The lads trust in the way that we play, Andreas [Sondergaard] played a good pass from the back, but we lost possession and they went through and scored – but our goal was actually similar. Benny Ashley-Seal put their defence under really good pressure, won it off the centre back and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished it calmly.

“They had a couple of half chances towards the end when we were pushing to try and get the winner. Maybe we should have calmed things down a bit then, but it was a good away point and we managed the game."

Edwards added: “Obviously we’re disappointed with how we conceded, but we created some really good chances. They’re goalkeeper made two point-blank saves from Oskar Burr and Austin Samuels and we got in numerous good positions but were just a little bit wasteful.

“In terms of actual expected goals, their keeper has made two great one-on-one saves – one with his head and one with his chest – so we did have the better opportunities.

“We did well to show a lot of character and control at times to get back in it. But in the end, it is a good away point against a good team.”

TEAM:

Wolves: Sondergard, Burr, Molberg, Csoka, John, Giles, Goncalves (Diallo), Watt, Heredia (Ennis), Alves, Samuels (Ashley-Seal).

Unused subs: Beasley, Sauvage.

COMING UP:

Following the international break – and a trip to FC Jumilla – Wolves will be back in league action to take on Aston Villa in the PL2 as they hope to regain their position at the top of the Division 2 table.

NEXT FIVE:

26/11 Aston Villa (H)

3/12 Oxford United (A) PLC

10/12 Sunderland (A)

14/12 Fulham (H)

7/1 West Bromwich Albion (A)

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