U21 report | Brighton 1-1 Wolves

Brighton 1 (Flower 70) Wolves 1 (Esen 6)

Wolves under-21s earned their first point of the Premier League 2 season following a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Josh Esen’s early opener was cancelled out by Louis Flower’s equaliser in the second half, as James Collins’ side were made to settle for a draw on the road.

Brighton threatened early when a corner kick was met by the head of Freddie Simmonds who should have buried from a few yards out, but directed his header wide of the mark.

The Old Gold then went up the other end and took the lead after just six minutes. Dani Angel’s run saw him get in behind the home defence, before the striker looked square for Esen who made no mistake from a few yards out.

The visitors were threatening on the break and looked to take advantage of their momentum, with Esen having another opportunity at the back post, but he was unable to arrange his feet in time and the ball ran into the gloves of Hugo Fisher.

At the other end, the Seagulls should’ve levelled when a corner into the box was kept alive and Simmonds rose above everyone and headed just wide at the back post.

Brighton were fortunate to get away with one when the ball was loosely given away at the back and Tom Edozie almost took full advantage, skipping past one defender and rifling an effort that was batted away by the goalkeeper.

Half-time | Brighton 0-1 Wolves

Wolves had a glorious opportunity to double their advantage shortly after the interval when Edozie played a delicious through ball to Angel who closed in on goal but, instead of shooting, opted for the square ball to Esen which was cut out by the goalkeeper.

Lewys Benjamin then had to be alert when he got down low to save with his legs after Charlie Tasker had escaped from his marker to nod towards goal.

Substitute Harvey Griffiths made an immediate impact when his defence-splitting pass found Esen who, in turn, cleverly back-heeled to Angel who saw his effort incredibly saved by Fisher before Esen blazed the follow-up over after a flowing move.

And the Old Gold were made to pay just two minutes later when Brighton levelled on the 70-minute mark. Caylan Vickers stood up Alfie White down the left-hand side and his cross was diverted into the corner by substitute Flower.

The Seagulls were the team pushing for a winner and Wolves had Benjamin to thank as the goalkeeper was equal to Josh Duffus’ swivel and shot inside the area, before Tasker’s left-footed effort was curled over the top.

Full-time | Brighton 1-1 Wolves

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s travel to face Port Vale in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday evening.

NEXT THREE

• 03/09 Port Vale (A) BSM Trophy
• 13/09 Huddersfield (H) PL Cup
• 17/09 Sheffield United (A) PL Cup

TEAMS

Brighton | Fisher, Samuels, Turns, Simmonds, Tasker, Ifill, Albarus (Knight 68), Mullins, Vickers (Flower 68), Duffus, Howell.

Subs not used | Hall, Penman, Bashir.

Wolves | Benjamin, Okoduwa (White 46), Keto-Diyawa, Voice, Pond, Rawlings (Griffiths 60), Esen (Mabete 82), Whittingham, Angel (Holman 72), Edozie (Ashworth 72), Farmer.

Image credit: BHAFC/Simon Roe