WOLVES U21S V DINAMO ZAGREB II

Wolves U21 3-3 Dinamo Zagreb II – Tuesday 29 October, Aggborough Stadium

Wolves XI: Benjamin, Lima (76), Pond (65), Ojinnaka, Voice, Whittingham, Ashworth, Barnett, Edozie (92), Lopes (65), Holman (76)Subs: Amos, Okoduwa (76), Sutherland (65), Mabete, Griffiths (65), Reynolds (92), Angel (76)

Dinamo XI: Rajic, Kerin (84), Lagancic, Ruskovacki, Susak, Al Taha, Brundic, Pavlak (45), Majic (76), Menalo, Andric (76)
Subs: Blazevic, Jahic (84), Ladan (57), Putica (45) (57), Vlahovic (76), Kunert (76), Becirovic

Wolves came into this game boosted by the inclusion of first-teamer Pedro Lima at right-back, but they weren’t the only side with a senior guest. The 28-year-old Luka Menalo has 15 caps for the Bosnia & Herzegovina national team and wore the captain’s armband for Zagreb.

Wolves could have taken an early lead when Lima delivered a cross to Leo Lopes, whose header bounced off the ground and over the crossbar. Not long after, Caden Voice sent in an inviting low cross to Fletcher Holman, who couldn’t quite sort his feet out in time. Dinamo broke the deadlock 20 minutes in. Ante Susak found Petar Andric in the box, who gratefully headed the ball beyond Benjamin. The 218 in attendance at Kidderminster were treated to a quick reply from Wolves. Holman found himself with the ball on the left flank and drilled it in for Ty Barnett to finish just two minutes after the opener. Lima came close, narrowly missing the target shortly after, but the next goal was at the other end. A smooth turn around Voice allowed Menalo to break away on the counter. Menalo passed to Andric, who teed up Toni Majic, who buried his shot in the bottom corner to retake the lead for his side. Alfie Pond nearly sent Wolves into half-time level, but his header was tipped over by Rajic.

There was a change at the break for Dinamo in both personnel and attitude. The Croatian outfit took every opportunity to slow the game down and frustrate the young Wolves team. Holman was the focus of the attack, having one chance snatched at the last second by a Dinamo defender before being taken down through on goal, though the referee gave a delayed offside against the striker. Benjamin also had work to do, getting down low to keep out Majic and keep the game alive. Pedro Lima was helped off in the 76th minute, not putting any weight on his left foot as he left the pitch. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious for the young Brazilian. 

After a frustrating half, Wolves finally managed to create an opportunity. Finn Ashworth passed to Tom Edozie, who brought the home team level once more. Just six minutes later, Menalo caused problems again. He collected Brundic’s pass and rounded Benjamin before rolling the ball into an empty net. Just as all hope looked lost, there was more late substitute drama, similar to Friday night. Super-sub Fabian Reynolds grabbed a goal within two minutes of entering the pitch. Dani Angel found the Jamaican youth international in space, and Reynolds curled the ball into Rajic’s goal. Wolves should have won the game when Ethan Sutherland headed the ball across a crowded goal, but no one could apply the final touch.

All square and a thrilling point for Wolves, who sit 5th in their PL International Cup group with two draws from two games. It was good to see Harvey Griffiths back on the pitch while Pedro Lima got valuable minutes in old gold. James Collins’ side are back in action on Saturday with a trip to Liverpool in the PL2 before two clashes against senior opposition with visits to Oldham Athletic and Salford.