Wolves U21s 2-2 Stoke City U21s: Holman Brace Seals Late Point at Aggborough

Wolves U21s vs Stoke City U21s – Friday 22nd August, Aggborough (PL2)

Wolves were back out again after a dramatic last-minute victory over Burnley on Monday. They battled Stoke City at Aggborough, who drew their opening game of the PL2 against Birmingham City. Wolves were bolstered by the inclusion of first-team wing-back Pedro Lima. Ethan Sutherland dropped to the bench while Temple Ojinnaka was named amongst the substitutes to potentially make his first appearance of the season. Stoke had two senior players in their eleven. Ukraine international and new signing Maksym Talovierov was in defence whilst Exiled Angolan midfielder Andre Vidigal was in the team once more after scoring against Blues. The two sides last met in April this year in the PL2 at the Bet365 Stadium. Stoke won 4-1 that day.

It was a slow start with neither team testing the opposition’s goalkeeper. Wolves did put the ball in the net early on but had the goal disallowed for offside.

Josh Gracey comfortably saved a curling effort from Chinonso Chibueze before Luke Rawlings missed the target from a promising position. Ty Barnett would be the next to try his luck, firing over the bar from close range.

A mix-up at the back for Wolves next as a loose pass fell to Andre Vidigal, but the 27-year-old cannoned his shot over the bar and let the home side off with a warning.

Just beyond the half-hour mark Mateus Mane found himself with a shooting opportunity but was forced wide, missing from a narrow angle.

Stoke grabbed the opener, Vidigal getting his second goal in as many games. He latched onto a pass from Laurence Giani that the Wolves defence failed to deal with. Gracey, caught in two minds, opted to stay on his line and could do nothing about the well-placed finish into the side-netting.

Wolves nearly made an instant reply, Mateus Mane driving his effort behind from the edge of the box. A few players in Old Gold will no doubt be having nightmares about Andre Vidigal for a while after the match. He once more linked up with Giani but misfired his half-volley straight into a very relieved Josh Gracey!

Talovierov brought down Fletcher Holman and Barnett stepped up to the free-kick. He drove the set-piece low and hard towards the bottom corner but former Arsenal academy goalie Noah Cooper was down well to meet it. Wolves would maybe feel hard done to going into the break behind.

Half-Time: Wolves U21s 0-1 Stoke City U21s

Pedro Lima was replaced at half-time with Ethan Sutherland taking his place on the left and Dexter Lembikisa switching to his preferred right wing-back role. Just three minutes into the second-half, more loose play from Wolves and Vidigal won the ball, playing a perfect ball into the waiting Adriel Walker who took a touch and slammed the ball into the net to double the lead.

Chibueze then hit the bar with a looping cross turned shot. A late challenge on Fletcher Holmon at the near-post gave the striker the chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot with Stoke reduced to 10 men, Jake Griffin receiving his marching orders. Cooper saved down to his right but could only parry the ball back to Holman who converted the rebound.

Wolves piled on the pressure and created some half-chances but just couldn’t find a clear-cut opportunity to break down The Potters. Mane had a chance on the volley following a poor headed clearance, but scuffed his shot over the bar. Rawlings gave Mane another chance when he floated in a cross for Mane to catch on the volley. Cooper with a fantastic stop to keep his team ahead. Lembikisa fizzed a ball into the penalty area that Fletcher Holman met, once more the Stoke goalkeeper equal to it. After Monday night’s late winner, Wolves supporters would have been optimistic of finding a leveller, and for good reason. Fletcher Holman the hero this time, beating the charging keeper to the ball and finishing calmly to grab his second of the game. Tom Edozie was given too much space to dribble into following a corner, and could have grabbed a winner once more, but dragged his shot wide as he aimed for the near post.

Mane’s turn to try his luck next, touching down a cushioning header only to drive his volley straight at Cooper. Ten minutes into additional time and the ball bobbled to the edge of the box. Bradbury took aim only to be denied by Cooper. The resulting corner was cleared and proved to be the final action of the match.

Full-time: Wolves U21s 2-2 Stoke City U21s

Collins’ side left it late again and it seems Wolves’ big advantage in games is stamina and a reliable bench to turn to. Sutherland and Edozie again were a positive energy going forward that forced Stoke to play almost all of the second-half in their own box. The finishing will come under scrutiny, Mane in particular could have grabbed two in injury time alone. Fletcher Holman is a fantastic forward. He loves a ball over the top to latch on to, drives at defences with real power and finishes with real composure and precision.

Wolves are out at Aggborough again next Friday, taking on Blackburn U21s this time. An unbeaten start to their PL2 campaign that they will be hoping to continue for a while yet.

Wolves XI: Gracey, Lima (46), Okoduwa, Pond (61), Olagunju, Lembikisa, Griffiths (93), Rawlings, Barnett (61), Mane, Holman

Subs: Sutherland (46), Voice, Ojinnaka (61), Bradbury (93), Edozie (61)

Stoke XI: Cooper, Dixon, Talovierov (75), Griffin, Giani, Curley, Kelly, Maskall (75), Vidigal (71), Chibueze, Walker (75)

Subs: Clothier, Oppong (75), Otegbayo (75), Matondo (75), Kyremeh (71)