U18 report | Wolves 2-1 Man City

Wolves 2 (Angel 18, Reynolds 25) Man City 1 (Warhurst 90+2)

Two first half goals helped Wolves under-18s to a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Compton Park, as Richard Walker’s side moved up to third in the U18 Premier League table. 

Dani Angel opened the scoring, before Fabian Reynolds doubled the lead inside 25 minutes, with Matthew Warhurst’s consolation coming in stoppage time for the visitors as Wolves held on for three points. 

It was a windy afternoon in the Black Country, which led to the Old Gold turning the visitors around so they could use the conditions to their advantage, as both teams would have to adapt to their passing games. 

It was an encouraging start to the match, and in the 18th minute, the deadlock was broken with the first chance of the game, when Angel capitalised on a misplaced pass before coolly slotting into the bottom corner.   

Shortly after, it was two nil. In similar fashion to the opening goal, some good pressing led to the ball being turned over at the back, with Angel this time turning provider, before Reynolds showed good footwork to beat his man and pick out the bottom right corner with a left footed shot. 

Wolves were well on top at this point, and nearly had a third when a long ball by Hayden Carson picked out Reynolds who drove at the City defence and cut inside before firing narrowly wide. 

10 minutes prior to half-time, Man City began to build some momentum as Wolves had to show their quality out of possession, with Lewys Benjamin making three important saves. 

Firstly, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht’s left footed shot from inside the box was well held, before Warhurst forced a diving save at the back post, and then Ashton Muir tried his luck, but saw his right footed shot caught and easily gathered. 

With the final action of the half, Wolves had a glorious chance to make it three as a swift counter attack saw both goal scorers combine, with Reynolds driving from inside his own half and rolling the ball across to Angel, who saw his first time shot smothered by Jack Wint. 

Half-time | Wolves 2-0 Man City 

Both sides made double changes at the interval, and the second half began with the visitors enjoying a spell of possession as they looked to get back into the match, however chances were few and far between as a resolute Wolves defence stood in the way. 

In fact, the first opportunity of the second 45 fell Wolves’ way when Fraser Harper went on a terrific solo run from his own half to the edge of the City area and saw his shot from outside the box comfortably saved. 

In the 57th minute, Benjamin was called into action as he comfortably held an acrobatic effort by Kian Noble. 

Centre forward Warhurst missed City’s best chance of the game when he met a cross from the left, but headed wide from the centre of the box. 

There was some great game management and resilience on display from Wolves, who continued to shut out Man City but also carry a threat of their own when they got chance to do so. 

However, the Old Gold couldn’t quite keep a clean sheet as the defence was breached in added time when Warhust met Divine Mukasa’s cross from the left and poked home. 

But this was too little too late and Walker’s side emerged victorious winning the match 2-1. 

Full-time | Wolves 2-1 Man City 

LINE UPS

Wolves | Benjamin, Igbinoghene, Voice, Carson, Diomande (Patterson 46) Reynolds, Harper (Bradbury 78), C.McLeod, Rawlings (Ayman 46), Angel (Ji 64), Ashworth.

Sub not used | Hardy. 

Man City | Wint, Dada-Mascoll (Fapetu 46), Noble, Naylor (Fletcher 63), Mfuni (Parker 46), Mukasa, Warhust, Hendersson-Hall, Oboavwoduo, Muir (Alcala 83), 

Alfa-Ruprecht. 

Sub not used | Whatmuff. 

NEXT FIVE

Chelsea (N) 11/04 U17 PL Cup final

Man United (H) 16/04

Newcastle United (H) 20/04

Liverpool (A) 27/04

Leeds (A) 01/05 

Report by Fraser Bishop