3 min read
12th Feb 2025
Rochdale 2 (Henderson 36, 67) Wolves 2 (Whittingham 2, Hubner 90+5)
Wolves under-21s’ National League Cup campaign ended at the group stages despite claiming a penalty shootout bonus point against Rochdale at the Crown Oli Arena on Tuesday evening.
James Collins made three changes to the team which were comfortably defeated by Sunderland, and despite Wolves showing positive signs in the early stages of the game, the away side could not hold out for the result they needed.
Matty Whittingham got Wolves off to a flying start, after Dani Angel won the ball high in the defensive third, Whittingham’s first-time effort dipped with pace into the bottom corner to give Collins’ side the advantage.
Rochdale were moments away from an equalising goal on the 18th minute but due to a timely challenge from Finn Ashworth, the chance was cancelled out.
Moments later, Josh Gracey was forced into an athletic save when Jili Buyabu’s set-piece tested the 17-year-old.
Momentum had shifted and was in favour of the Old Gold – Tom Edozie’s effort forced Bradley Kelly into a stunning low diving save as Wolves continued their quest for second goal.
However, the hosts levelled through veteran Ian Henderson nine minutes before the break, his lobbed effort Gracey and bounced over the line to make the game all square.
Justin Hubner was inches away from giving Wolves’ the advantage once again, but to the annoyance of the defender, his effort was tipped away for a corner before proceedings were brought to a close.
Half-time | Rochdale 1-1 Wolves
After the interval, Collins’ side showed no signs of giving up, with Ethan Sutherland proving to be a consistent problem for the home side down the left-hand flank.
Following unselfish play from Edozie, Angel’s strike from close-range stung the palms of Kelly, but couldn’t give Wolves the lead.
The hosts took the lead for the first time in the game deep into the second period when Henderson slotted his second of the evening into the bottom corner.
Substitute Leo Lopes delivered when it mattered most, his cross fizzed across the six-yard box and Hubner tapped home to bring Wolves level at the end of the game, and ensuring the game would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Despite Wolves coming out on top in the shootout, Collins’ side needed to win the game in 90 minutes to progress into the National League Cup knockout stages, meaning their inaugural campaign has come to a close.
Full-time | Rochdale 2-2 Wolves
LINEUPS
Rochdale | Kelly, Alinde, Ferguson, Burger, Edwards, Buyabu (Akpan 45), Weston, Burgess, Kelly, Henderson, Horne
Unused subs | Allarakhia, Waller, AdebaIo-Ronlidg, McBride, Bispo Martinez, Clift.
Wolves | Gracey, Okoduwa (Dayman 75), Hubner, Voice, Mabete, Ashworth (Lopes 67), Edozie (Ji 75), Bradbury, Angel, Whittingham, Sutherland.
Unused subs | Keto-Diyawa, Amos, Reynolds, Olagunju.
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Report by Thomas Gibson
