U21 report | Wolves 5-0 Palace

Wolves 5 (Tipton pen 28, Fraser 38, 44, 53, Farmer 56) Crystal Palace 0

Wolves under-21s hit five for the second game running at Aggborough, with Nathan Fraser’s hat-trick stealing the headlines against Crystal Palace.

James Collins’ side were aided by Noah Watson’s moment of madness, when the Palace defender was shown a straight red card for blocking Joe Hodge’s attempt on the line with his hand. Skipper Oliver Tipton dispatched the penalty before Fraser and Owen Farmer did the rest, the former scoring three and the latter adding a fifth on another clinical night in front of goal for the old gold.

Wolves slightly edged the opening exchanges and were first to have a sight at goal when Alfie Pond met Owen Hesketh’s free-kick, but he was unable to divert his header on target as the ball just dropped past the right-hand post.

The home side thought they should have had a penalty when following a soaring Dexter Lembikisa run down the right, Fraser was first to the ball into the centre and headed over, while in the process getting clattered by Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman. Referee Ritchie Watkins was unmoved and after a short period on the ground, Fraser was fortunately able to return to his feet and continue.

The game turned on its head on 27 minutes when the visitors were reduced to 10 men. Ty Barnett released Farmer down the left who was able to cross low into the box to the arriving Hodge who looked certain to score, but was denied by the hand of Watson. A penalty was given and in the process, the defender was shown a straight red card. Tipton stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards, as he sent Goodman the wrong way and buried his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Despite being a man light, Palace went straight up the other end and almost equalised. A misjudged header by Pond allowed Dan Imray to cross, with the ball cleared only as far David Ozoh who found Louie Moulden in the way with a strong save before Pond booted away to prevent any rebound.

And that moment proved vital in the context of the game as the old gold doubled their advantage shortly after. Harvey Griffiths showed great tenacity to drive into the penalty area and ensure the ball remained alive, as it fell gratefully into the path of Fraser who coolly slotted home with his left foot.

Wolves added a third in superb fashion just before the break and it was Fraser again who was on target. Barnett’s exquisite touch on the halfway sent Hodge on his way before the midfielder showed excellent feet to progress and feed Fraser. He had men making their way up in support, but the striker only had eyes for goal and drilled his attempt low and inside the near post for three.

Barnett’s touch
Hodge’s feet
Fraser’s finish

Quite simply, a sublime third goal.#PL2 pic.twitter.com/6odzmRmkXL

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 24, 2023

Half-time | Wolves 3-0 Crystal Palace

If the job wasn’t already done, Collins’ men were keen to make sure early into the second period. Fraser completed his hat-trick when he fed Farmer inside the box before getting the return pass and finishing inside the left post.

For the second game running at Aggborough, a Wolves attacker had netted a treble and the last player to do it, Farmer was eager to get in on the act. A poor clearance from Goodman was collected by Farmer who quickly attacked the Palace backline who were unable to deal with his pace, before he found the back of the net with a deadly finish beyond the goalkeeper.

Absolutely ruthless from Owen Farmer ‍ #PL2 pic.twitter.com/LKJ1ya9MBD

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 24, 2023

It should have been six, but for a fantastic save on his line from Goodman. Farmer’s ball into the box was teasing and met by the head of substitute Tyler Roberts, but Goodman got down low and was able to palm the ball away from danger.

The ball just wouldn’t go in for Roberts as he found Goodman in his way once again inside the final 10 minutes. Barnett, whose influence on the game was evident, picked out the run of Roberts before the winger saw his venomous left-footed drive well-saved by the Palace stopper.

Wolves didn’t have too much defending to do against the 10 men of Palace, although the visitors were unlucky not to grab a consolation when Imray saw his strike across goal come back off the post and away.

Barnett himself then struck the woodwork with a fierce attempt from 25 yards out that rattled the crossbar, as Wolves were made to settle for five and collected three more important points in their quest for PL2 survival.

Full-time | Wolves 5-0 Crystal Palace

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s close their 2022/23 campaign with a trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

NEXT UP

• 29/04 Man City (A)

TEAMS

Wolves | Moulden, Lembikisa, Hubner, Griffiths (Esen 74), Tipton, Pond, Hesketh (Roberts 65), Hodge, Fraser, Barnett, Fraser (Birtwistle 83).

Subs not used | Young, Mabete.

Palace | Goodman, Imray, Grehan, Balmer, Watson, Adaramola, Ozoh, Rodney, Raymond, Akinwale (Vigor 66), Mooney (Umeh 46).

Subs not used | Izquierdo, Omilabu, Trialist.