U18 report | Wolves 1-2 Sunderland

Wolves 1 (Salmon 58) Sunderland 2 (Moore 28, Robertson 39)

Despite a much improved second half showing, Wolves under-18s failed to overturn Sunderland’s two-goal lead at the interval, as they fell to defeat at Compton Park on Tuesday afternoon.

Fabian Salmon struck just before the hour mark, finishing off a well-worked team move, but goals from Ethan Moore and Josh Robertson proved too much for James McPike’s side.

It was an encouraging start from the old gold, who saw an early chance break when Fraser Harper swept the ball out to the right where Leo Shahar was racing up the flank. The advancing right back’s first-time ball was into a dangerous area, and although Sunderland goalkeeper Adam Richardson met the cross ahead of the onrushing attacker, he failed to hold on, presenting Wolves with a chance to capitalise which they failed to do.

Following a corner that was only half cleared, Sunderland’s Moore fired a low shot across the face of goal that could have easily been turned in by a white and red shirt had they been more alert to the opportunity.

A pass out wide found Robertson on the left flank with time and space to pick out one of the four Sunderland teammates lurking in and around the box. Robertson’s lofted cross was a good one and was met by Moore on the edge of the area whose well struck first time left-footed volley caught Stan Amos out in the Wolves goal to break the deadlock in some style.

Then came a flurry of chances with the Black Cats coming close to doubling their lead just less than 10 minutes after the opener. A well-manoeuvred free-kick out wide caught out the hosts but a close-range effort at the back post sailed over. Wolves responded well however, as Tom Edozie forced the ‘keeper into a strong save, his first of the match, before the follow-up effort was adjudged offside.

Sunderland came again, and this time made it count as the ball was worked well up the pitch, before Jake Waters played a well-weighted pass to his right for Robertson, the assister of the first, to run onto. Provider turned poacher, Robertson showed great composure in front of goal, slotting past Amos coolly to give the visitors a comfortable lead going into the break.

Half-time | Wolves 0-2 Sunderland

The second half started slowly, with neither side creating an opening of note until the 58^th minute when Wolves found a way back into contest.

The versatile and ever-energetic Testimony Igbinoghene drove up the left flank, running nearly the length of the pitch to create an opening. Once level with the edge of the opposing box, Igbinoghene slotted a square pass infield into the feet of Fabian Reynolds. Reynolds again looked inside and found Salmon who had picked up a good position with a late run to the near post where he swept home from close range to halve the deficit.

Just minutes later Wolves came close to levelling the scores. Harper was at the heart of a brilliant Wolves move that deserved to result in the equalising goal. Harper turned out of trouble and proved challenging to dispossess and when he eventually released the ball, he found the inverted run of Shahar whose shot was hit well but sailed just over.

Just as he did in the first half, Sunderland keeper Richardson failed to hold onto a low cross, spilling the ball into the box, and had Salmon been alert to the opening, he would have had a golden opportunity to grab his second from close range.

The 20 minutes remaining on the clock and three further Wolves changes affecting the fluidity of the contest, with the match becoming cagey with space and chances for either side limited. Sunderland, cautious of conceding a second, defended resolutely to hold onto their narrow advantage and frustrated the hosts who were desperately searching for a late equaliser that never came.

Full-time | Wolves 1-2 Sunderland

REACTION 

Speaking after the game, under-18s coach James McPike credited the improvement he saw in his side’s second half display and noted the challenging weather conditions that played its part in the nature of the performance.

“It was difficult, difficult conditions. I think first half we found it very difficult to play in the space behind because of that. Second half was much better, we had much of a go with the wind and scored a good goal in the end.”

On the reason behind the half-time changes

“Sometimes the changes are out of our control, and we’ve got to think forward to other games, so part of the substitutions was that. Part of it was just trying to help the lads get a foothold in midfield, so just putting the two older boys in there in a bit of a different shape.

“That was it really, but ultimately it was to do what we asked them to do. I don’t think we quite did that first half, so there were a few tough words in the dressing room at half-time and I think they came out better.”

On analysing two contrasting halves

“It was quite clear in which areas we were having success, it was just to do it more, and like I say with the conditions now, it caused them problems, it caused us problems. With the wind we could get after them and they found it hard to put into the space in behind. It was just a case of doing more of what we asked them to do and trying to put the pressure on them against the wind.

On his hopes for the remaining four fixtures

Just to keep being competitive and to keep trying to do the things that we’re asking them to do and to keep developing. You saw again today, we finished the game with five under-16s and under-15s on the pitch, so they’re getting some great exposure early at this level. So it’s really challenging for them, so if they can keep working hard, they will be better for it in the long run.

On a tough trip to Liverpool

A tough place to go. Good technically, hardworking, good on the ball, so similar to us when we’re really at it so it should be a good, competitive game and hopefully, as I say, we can go there and be competitive and try and do the things that I’m asking them to do in the prep for the game.

 NEXT FOUR

• 01/04 Liverpool (A)
• 22/04 Leeds United (H)
• 25/04 Manchester United (A)
• 29/04 Middlesbrough (A)

TEAMS

Wolves | Amos, Shahar, Kaleta (Diomande 46), Bradbury (McLeod 46), Mabete (White 74), Igbinoghene, Edozie, Rees, Salmon (Patterson 67), Harper, Reynolds (Ji 67).

Sunderland | Richardson, Lavery, Jones, Dowling, Fieldson, Bell, Moore, Robertson, Waters, Salkeld, Cotcher.

Unused subs | Mitchell, Parker, Cameron.

Report by Ollie Spencer