U21 report | Wolves 5-0 Everton

Wolves 5 (Farmer 10, 28, 40, Esen 55, Hesketh pen 80) Everton 0

Owen Farmer’s first half hat-trick inspired Wolves under-21s to a five-goal victory over Everton on Easter Monday.

The youngster scored all three of his goals within a 30-minute period in the opening 45 minutes, before Josh Esen and Owen Hesketh added to the tally in the second as James Collins’ side put on a stunning display for those in attendance.

Head coach Collins made four changes to the eleven that drew 1-1 at Tottenham Hotspur on Good Friday, with first-team midfielder Boubacar Traore starting alongside Joe Hodge in the centre of the park, as the Mali international made a return from injury. Elsewhere, Lewis Richards and Josh Esen both started, with the latter rewarded following his impact off the bench at Spurs where he assisted Ty Barnett’s equaliser late on.

Wolves started on the front foot and were playing at a high intensity, looking to capitalise early on at Aggborough.

And their pressure paid off just 10 minutes into the game. Hesketh’s corner kick was attacked well by Nathan Fraser who saw his header saved on the line by Zan-luk Leban, before Farmer was there to gobble home the rebound from close range.

Fraser was leading the line well and his aerial presence caused problems in the Everton defence once again, as he met another corner, but this time nodded comfortably wide.

The Toffees were afforded their first opening of the evening when a low cross into the centre was cleverly dummied to the feet of Sean McAllister, who fired straight at Louie Moulden with the goalkeeper standing firm.

The old gold doubled their advantage just shy of the half hour mark, and in some style too. Traore, Hodge and Esen all combined, before the ball was played wide left to Farmer, who did the rest by shooting across goal and into the far corner.

Traore, Hodge and Esen combine, before Farmer does the rest. A superb second goal #PL2 pic.twitter.com/wHbPpksfKA

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 10, 2023

Farmer rounded off a sensational opening 45 minutes with a third goal, which completed his hat-trick. The tireless Fraser ran his marker ragged down the right-hand side, running from the halfway line before delivering an inviting ball into the box which was only parried by Leban, before Farmer coolly slotted beyond the goalkeeper with his side foot.

Tireless work from Fraser, as Farmer bags a first half hat-trick #PL2 pic.twitter.com/CZXDyZk2BO

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 10, 2023

Half-time | Wolves 3-0 Everton 

The home side continued their momentum into the second period and were four goals to the good after 55 minutes. Both full-backs, Justin Hubner and Dexter Lembikisa, delivered teasing crosses into the box before the ball fell to the feet of substitute Harvey Griffiths. He found Fraser who in turn laid it off to Esen, before the winger struck a sweetly driven effort into the bottom corner from outside the area.

What a strike, Josh Esen #PL2 pic.twitter.com/ShxHocCrAW

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 10, 2023

For his efforts, Fraser deserved a goal of his own and so nearly scored one in unusual fashion, as the ball deflected off the striker and cannoned back off the crossbar from distance.

However, Wolves did get their fifth 10 minutes from time when Farmer was too quick for his opponent in the box who brought him down, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Hesketh stepped up from 12 yards and rolled the ball underneath Leban and into the bottom corner.

Farmer was full of energy right until the final whistle and he still had legs on the break as he raced down the left. Griffiths was there in support and received the ball, before finding the goalkeeper in the way and then the defender who prevented the rebound.

Everton had late chances of their own when they hit the frame of goal before Moulden saved well from Ishe Samuels-Smith, however the game was already comfortably wrapped up and the PL2 points went the way of the old gold.

Full-time | Wolves 5-0 Everton

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s travel to the capital to take on Fulham in PL2 this time next week.

NEXT THREE

• 17/04 Fulham (A)
• 24/04 Crystal Palace (H)
• 29/04 Man City (A)

TEAMS

Wolves | Moulden, Lembikisa, Hubner, Hodge (Marques 62), Richards (Keto-Diyawa 77), Pond, Esen, Traore (Griffiths 46), Fraser (Birtwistle 83), Hesketh, Farmer.

Subs not used | Arinbjornsson.

Everton | Leban, John (Heath 70), Hunt, Welch, Campbell, Juessen (Samuels-Smith 65), Mills, Price, Okorontwo, McAllister (Pjankpata 77), Kouyate (Metcalse 65).

Subs not used | Barrett.