LOUIE LEFEVRE BRINGS YOU THE LATEST NEWS ON WOLVES U21S & U18S
Wolves U21 1-3 Arsenal U21 – Compton Park, Friday 23rd August
Wolves XI: Benjamin, Semedo (75), Lonwijk (45), Pond, Lembikisa, Hodge, Rawlings (75), Whittingham, Esen (89), Farmer, Chiwome (45)
Subs: Okoduwa (89), Keto-Diyawa (75), Hubner (45), Angel (45), Edozie (75)
Arsenal XI: Porter, Nichols (80), Kacurri, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly (80), Gower, Oulad-M’Hand (75), Rosiak, Kabia (89), Butler-Oyadeji, Edwards
Subs: Okonkwo, Quesada-Thorn (80), Robinson (80), Dudziak (75), Ferdinand (89)
There were scouts galore at Compton on Friday afternoon as Wolves made 7 changes to the side that lost on Monday. Alfie Pond, Joe Hodge, Nigel Lonwijk and Dexter Lembikisa were the likely focus of attention whilst Nelson Semedo also started as he continues to serve out his first-team suspension.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was caught out by the bounce of the ball early on and allowed Semedo through on goal. The England U18 international recovered well and did just enough to put Semedo off and allow Arsenal goalie Jack Porter to push it wide. Owen Farmer proved that the Old Gold’s left side was just as dangerous as the right, driving a ball low into the penalty area that was just slightly too far ahead of Leon Chiwome.
Ismeal Kabia had the best of the Arsenal attacks in the first half. A heavy touch beat Lembikisa but Alfie Pond pounced on the loose ball to clear to safety. Khayon Edwards found himself in space and forced a save from Lewys Benjamin, the first thing he had to do all game. The best chance of the half was the result of a clever Wolves set-piece. Farmer crossed the ball to an unmarked Nigel Lonwijk, who’s header was parried away but only as far as Alfie Pond, who’s effort wasn’t powerful enough and allowed Arsenal to clear their lines.
Before the second half there was a number of arrivals on and off the pitch. Gary O’Neil joined Matt Hobbs and a number of Wolves players and staff having just finished training while ex-blues boss and current Peterborough director of football Barry Fry was also in attendance. Justin Hubner and Dani Angel replaced Lonwijk and Leon Chiwome, the striker gaining a positive 45 minutes off the back of an ankle injury from last season. Wolves once again started quicker, Whittingham striking an early effort over the bar. A corner resulted in Benjamin having to make an acrobatic save at his top-left corner to deny Maldini Kacurri but Michal Rosiak’s second corner fell kindly to the feet of Nathan Butler-Oyedeji who poked it in to break the deadlock.
Arsenal had found their feet and Khayon Edwards received the ball in behind Hubner. Benjamin was caught between two minds and opted not to come for the ball, but there was little he could do when Edwards squared it to Kabia, who calmly placed his effort in the bottom right corner. It was Porter’s turn for a moment of madness on his PL2 debut next as he came to meet the ball but was beaten to it by Angel who put the ball in the back of an unguarded Arsenal goal to make it 2-1.
The gunners would respond quickly, dispossessing Wolves in a precarious position before Butler-Oyadeji’s shot slammed off the post and in. The former Cheltenham loanee now has four goals in just two games. Alfie Pond had a header blocked from an Aaron Keto-Diyawa corner and that proved to be all that Wolves could muster before full-time.
A rough week for the U21s to begin the season. A lot of these lads have had tough pre-seasons with trials, international breaks and first-team excursions effecting various members. This game was bigger than the result for Wolves though, and the real positives to this game will hopefully be loan spells for a lot of these players soon. Joe Hodge was undoubtably Wolves’ man of the match and certainly stood out as someone above and beyond U21 football. The U21s now prepare for a trip to Brighton on Saturday.
Wolves U18 5-2 Blackburn Rovers U18 – Compton Park, Saturday 24th August
Wolves XI: Gracey, Okoduwa (45), Voice, Osifo, Patterson, White, Bradbury, Colesby (69), McLeod, Ballard-Matthews (69), Mane
Subs: Hardy, Nyakudya (45), Ji (69), Dayman, Marwa (69)
Blackburn XI: Wolonscroft, Mansbridge, Davies, Decandia, Leeming, Willis (53), Sharrocks, Farkas (66), Edmondson, Dlamini (86), Joseph
Subs: Pates (86), Thompson, Dunn (53), Vare (66), Boggan
Compton played host to two fixtures in as many days with Wolves’ U18 side beginning their campaign at home to Blackburn and there was no shortage of goals. Conor McLeod made no mistake in converting a free-kick from 25 yards in picture perfect fashion just 11 minutes in. Free-kicks would prove to be an area of difficulty for Blackburn defensively. Wales U17 international Makenzie Bradbury took the next one, picking out Caden Voice, who’s header found it’s way in despite a deflection. Voice must have had déjà vu from last season when he also found the net in the opening day game with Blackburn. Stephen Edmondson’s cross was helped into the bottom corner by Valentin Joseph but Wolves pegged them back just two minutes after. A good show of strength before a silky turn and shot on goal from Matheus Mane restored Wolves’ two goal cushion. Blackburn did reply just before half-time when Patrik Farkas scored 3 minutes into additional time of the first 45.
If you thought Blackburn’s late goal would have swung the momentum in their favour, then you thought wrong. Ryan Colesby curled a shot into the top right corner less than two minutes after the action was back underway. Last season, Conor McLeod scored six goals in the U18 Premier League. It felt like could have had that many in just his first game this time around. Mane turned provider for the 17-year-old who snatched up the chance of an opening day brace and finished the day’s scoring as well as he had started it. Wolves ran away as 5-2 victors, ensuring a bright start to their season.
Wow. Not a lot could have gone better for Wolves today. Josh Gracey would perhaps have liked a clean sheet on his U18 debut but the shot-stopper and his teammates have every reason to be delighted with that one. Credit to Richard Walker and the other academy staff who found a good balance of new faces and experienced U18 players which really paid off. The presence of Caden Voice and Conor McLeod in particular helped to sure up both halves. The heavy changes to the U21 side the day before played a major part here too, allowing these players to be available here rather than taking part in the Arsenal match. Wolves will look to carry this momentum forward to their clash with Middlesborough on Saturday.
Other news:
U21 Premier League Cup group drawn:
James Collins side recently discovered their opposition for the upcoming Premier League cup group stage. Wolves feature alongside Huddersfield, Sheffield United and Sunderland respectively in group D. The opening fixture sees the terriers travel to Aggborough on the 13th September for a 7PM kick-off; with wolves notably travelling to the John Smith’s stadium for the return fixture. Wolves will have 4 games within the space of 3 months between September and October, before taking a break and facing Sunderland twice in January 2025. Not all of Wolves’ home games are scheduled to take place at Aggborough however, with the 21st October fixture against Sheffield United yet to have a confirmed venue. Wolves will hope to improve on last season’s lacklustre group stage exit with an impressive performance this time around.
Transfer round-up:
Wolves’ academy has seen far more activity than the first team this week. Wolves beat Premier League competition in the race to sign talented U15 attacking midfielder Clive Oduor from Bradford City while Alvin Ayman left Wolves to join Liverpool. 16-year-old Ayman made his PL2 debut last season against Derby County in March. The compensation for the move will be around £2 million but Ayman’s former club Bradford City could be due a cut of the money due to a sell-on clause. Ki-Jana Hoever also completed a loan to French Ligue 1 outfit Auxerre. Hoever last competed for a Wolves side competitively in 2022, in a PL2 game with Newcastle United with his last senior game another month before that. Hoever joins the Ligue 2 champions off the back of 18 impressive months with Championship side Stoke. Finally, Louie Moulden has found another club after his release from Wolves at the end of last season as the goalkeeper has joined Premier League suitors Crystal Palace.
ARTICLE BY LOUIE LEFEVRE
Wolves fan and South Bank season ticket holder currently studying in Salford. I enjoy cricket, tennis and boxing but football has always been my favourite sport. I am particularly interested in youth football for Wolves and England. I am also a referee and my favourite player is Craig Dawson!