U18 report | Stoke 1-0 Wolves

Stoke City 1 (Hayder 82) Wolves 0

Wolves under-18s were cruelly beaten at Stoke City as Ali Ali Hayder’s strike eight minutes from time secured the points for the Potters.

James McPike’s side were dominant for the majority of proceedings and in complete control, but were unable to make their pressure pay at Clayton Wood.

A number of chances went begging for the old gold in a game where it looked like a goal was just around the corner.

Wolves were an attacking threat throughout and came close to taking the lead when Fabian Reynolds and Testimony Igbinoghene combined down the left before the latter eyed Tom Edozie in the centre, before the attacker was just beaten to the ball by a Stoke defender in the nick of time.

Edozie was then able to test the hands of Tommy Jackson in the home goal with a strike that was well held onto and was again a threat moments later, with a deflected attempt travelling just wide. From the resulting corner, Hayden Carson was able to keep the ball alive after it was recycled into the box before Leo Shahar turned and arrowed his shot wide.

Reynolds was a regular threat on the wing, forcing Jackson to save at his near post and then calling for a penalty that was waved away by the referee after a blocked attempt looked to have been handled.

And the same man was in the thick of the action once again, this time with the biggest chance of the half to this point. Conor McLeod took a high ball down with an exquisite first touch before slotting Reynolds through on goal. The first effort was saved well by Jackson, before Reynolds rounded the goalkeeper and defender, only to fire wide with his right boot.

With five minutes of the half left to play, the visitors kept pressing and came even closer to an opening goal. This time, Reynolds slipped Igbinoghene in behind before the left-back dinked a ball to the back post right onto the head of Shahar who did everything right, but watched his header back across goal bounce off the crossbar.

Half-time | Stoke City 0-0 Wolves

The second half began in the same vein, with McPike’s side in the ascendancy and Reynolds threatening the Stoke backline. After getting to the byline, he was able to cut the ball back to Shahar who saw a shot blocked, before Fraser Harper’s follow-up attempt was tipped wide by Jackson.

McLeod tried his luck from a free-kick that had the up-and-under technique, but not quite the accuracy as the ball travelled past the post. Moments later, defender Carson took it into his own hands to strike from distance and he wasn’t too far away, with his fizzing effort only just clearing the crossbar from some 35-yards.

Substitute Minkju Ji looked to make an impact off the bench and was able to get to the byline after being played in by the tenacious Mason Rees, but he was caught in two minds whether to cross or shoot and the chance was gone.

And for all their dominance, Wolves were made to pay for lacking a clinical edge in front of goal, with Stoke snatching victory on 82 minutes. Hayder picked up the ball from 20 or so yards out and fired an effort which nestled into the bottom corner, leaving Wolves dejected after such a commanding display.

Full-time | Stoke City 1-0 Wolves

REACTION

Following the game, McPike explained that he and the coaching staff are pleased with the progress of the team and is convinced the goals will flow in future matches.

“It’s very difficult for the boys to take but from our point of view, we’re really pleased with the football and the progress they’re making in the week.

“We’re thinking forward a lot more and trying passes that are a bit riskier. We’re playing with a confidence and more intricate play which gives us more chances.

“Hopefully that’ll (goals) come – we’re working on that. The build-up and putting ourselves in the position to create those opportunities is really important.

“We’ve still got a couple of boys to come back into the group in attacking areas which will help. In terms of what we’re doing, we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

COMING UP

Wolves under-18s are in Birmingham Senior Cup quarter-final action, as they travel to Stourbridge on Wednesday evening.

NEXT FIVE

• 15/02 Stourbridge (A) BSC
• 18/02 Newcastle United (H)
• 25/02 Sunderland (A)
• 04/03 Blackburn Rovers (H)
• 07/03 Everton (A)

TEAMS

Stoke | Jackson, Challinor, Bickerton, Walker, Grogan, Griffin, Maskall (Fearn 80), Smith, Iwobi (Agina 56), Hayder, Lusakueno (Watson 70).

Unused subs | Houston, Trialist.

Wolves | Trialist, Shahar, Diomande, Rees, Carson, Igbinoghene, Esen, McLeod, Edozie (Ji 66), Harper, Reynolds (White 83).

Unused subs | Amos, Francis-Burrell, Scicluna.