Stockport beat Wolves U21s 5-3 in the EFL Trophy at Edgeley Park. Astles nets a late brace; Sutherland and Edozie impress for Wolves. Full match recap.
Stockport County vs Wolves U21s – Tuesday 2nd September, Edgeley Park (EFL Trophy)
The EFL Trophy returns for another season, and Wolves U21s begin their campaign with a trip to Edgeley Park to take on Stockport. Wolves’ only competitive loss of the season so far came against senior opposition against Wealdstone, while the hosts have only suffered one league defeat at the hands of Bradford City. ‘The Hatters’ were also eliminated in the second round of the Carabao Cup to Wigan Athletic, who are coincidentally one of the two other teams in Group A of the EFL Trophy Northern section, along with Salford City. A plethora of changes for Wolves as last week’s goalscorers Tom Edozie and Ethan Sutherland came into the starting XI along with Fletcher Holman and Wes Okoduwa. Stockport made 11 changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Wigan last Saturday. The two sides met once before in the EFL Trophy back in 2022, with James Collins’ side winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Lee Harkin and Tyler Roberts.
Wolves found the breakthrough after a lovely 1-2 between Sutherland and Edozie sent the latter barreling towards goal on the end of a trivela pass. Edozie cut inside of his man before a scuffed shot trickled into the bottom corner of the near post, giving the forward 3 goals in 3 games. Former Birmingham City man Odin Bailey nearly hit back instantly with some fancy footwork but the shot was straight at Gracey. Debutant Christy Grogan got caught in possession by Mateus Mane, who slammed the ball into the near post giving experienced goalie Ben Hinchliffe absolutely no chance of preventing Wolves’ second goal. Stockport reduced the deficit in the 20th minute. Lewis Fiorini slipped through Stoke City loanee Nathan Lowe who calmly finished through the legs of the oncoming goalkeeper. Josh Gracey gifted Stockport an equaliser four minutes later, cushioning the ball down for Nathan Lowe who rolled the ball into an empty net. Saheed Olagunju found himself completely unmarked from a corner and should have made it 3-2. Heading narrowly wide from close range. Hinchliffe was keen not to be beaten at his near post again, equal to Mateus Mane’s effort with five minutes till the end of the half. An exciting first 30 minutes left it all to play for in the second half.
Half-Time: Stockport County 2-2 Wolves U21s
Five minutes into the second half Odin Bailey made it 3-2 after a cutback from Che Gardner, made even more impressive since they were temporarily down to 10 men due to an injury to Arien Allen. Just before the hour mark Josh Gracey made up for his earlier error, picking out Ethan Sutherland on the left. The Scotsman’s cross was picture perfect to Wes Okoduwa who applied the finishing touch and made it 3-3. Brad Hills was not having the best of nights for Stockport, and got beaten again on the right of Stockport’s defence. Luckily for him, Okoduwa hit the post this time around. With ten to go 16-year-old substitute Joe Astles put Stockport 4-3 up with a calm finish on debut. Ty Barnett made a late dash for goal with Leo Lopes able to have the shot at the end of it. The Portuguese winger rushed his effort and lashed wide. Astles punished the wasteful Wolves attack again, leaving Olagunju floored for a second time and dinking the ball over Gracey. 10 minutes were added on, and with two of those left to play Minkyu Ji found Wes Okoduwa with a curling cross that the wing-back should have done better with, missing from point-blank range. Two teenage braces were the difference in the end with Wolves unable to come up with any late heroics this time. Defeat in their Vertu Trophy opener and much defensive improvement needed for the future.
Full-Time – Stockport 5-3 Wolves U21s
A win elsewhere for Salford City sees Wolves and Wigan both on 0 points after one game with ‘The Latics’ up next in this competition in October. Sutherland and Edozie the standouts on the night, with Olagunju and Josh Gracey not having their greatest games. Real Madrid B are next up, visiting Molineux on Wednesday 10th. Tickets are free to claim for season ticket holders while adults are priced at £5. Junior tickets are also free.
Stockport County XI: Hinchliffe, Dodgson (46), Olowu, Hills, Grogan (46), Allen, Gardner (76), Fiorini, Bailey, Mothersille (61), Lowe (46)
Subs: Metcalfe, Mee (61), Edwards (46), Watson (46), Kouam (46), Lawless, Astles (76)
Wolves XI: Gracey, Sutherland, Olagunju, Pond, Ojinnaka (63), Okoduwa, Bradbury (86), Rawlings, Edozie (69), Mane (86), Holman (63)
Subs: Arnold, Dayman, Lopes (69), Voice (63), Barnett (63), Ji (86), Angel (86)
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!