LOUIE LEFEVRE SHARES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WOLVES U21S PRESEASON
Pre-season for the U21s has finished with matches played against clubs at all levels, including an overseas training camp.
James Collins’ side started with a visit to AFC Wolverhampton City to face senior opposition from the Midland Football League Premier Division. A disappointing result for the U21s who lost 2-0, though a fair number of U18 players were used in the match. A behind closed doors match with Bristol City U21s was next, ending in a first victory in pre-season for the side. Wolves emerged 3-1 winners with Dani Angel scoring a second-half hat-trick to seal it. This would be the final game before flying to Spain for a warm weather campaign to prepare for the season ahead.
The U21s opened this trip with a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Real Betis Cantera. The Betis academy side were too much for the young Wolves team and just the day after, Wolves lost to Malaga’s academy by a more respectable 2-1 scoreline. The improvement continued as, in the final match of the Spanish camp, Wolves drew 0-0 with Sevilla’s academy. An impressive result from a young group to hold a top European academy to a draw.
The group then returned to England to face more senior opponents, taking on newly promoted Vanarama National North side AFC Telford United. The game was an end to end affair, with Wolves narrowly beating the Bucks 4-3. Former Wolves full-back Jordan Cranston played for Telford, and could have levelled the game at the death but crashed his effort against the crossbar. Ty Barnett and Fabian Reynolds scored either side of an own goal from Telford man Orrin Pendley, with Fletcher Holman netting the fourth just days off a trial period with League One Port Vale. Despite a fantastic match and performance, the next game would be humbling for the team as they suffered a 5-0 loss away to Cardiff City U21s.
The preparations ended with an U21 Black Country derby, which West Brom won 2-1. Fletcher Holman was once again the goalscorer for Wolves. Whether Holman spends the season in Old Gold or out on loan, it has been a positive pre-season for the striker that will have many teams interested in his services.
Dani Angel will also have a big season ahead, looking for a big goal return. Mateus Mane will be chasing a first full season at U21 level, along with some first-team opportunities to boot. Caden Voice will likely be in for a permanent step up to U21 football, and even wore the captain’s armband for the team in the fixture with West Bromwich Albion.
Tomorrow it will be time for the team to kick-off the season with a National League Cup game against Wealdstone. Tickets are still available for supporters to attend in person and fans can watch at home for free, with the game being streamed live on the Enterprise National League’s YouTube channel.
article by LOUIE LEFEVRE
I’m a student and a season ticket holder. I enjoy talking about the next generation of Wolves players and you can usually spot me on Match of the day behind the goal!