U21S WOLVES V WEST HAM MATCH REPORT

Wolves U21 vs West Ham United U21 – Friday 25^th October, Aggborough Stadium

Wolves XI: Benjamin, Okoduwa, Ojinnaka (85), Pond, Mabete, Whittingham, Ashworth, Sutherland, Edozie (82), Barnett (71), Angel (71)

Subs: Voice (85), Bradbury (71), Reynolds, Lopes (71), Farmer (82)

West Ham XI: Herrick, Tarima, Robinson, Mayers, Luiz ao, Akpata, Orford, Swyer, Moore (45), Scarles, Ajala (85)

Subs: Terry, Rigge (85), Fawunmi (45), Briggs, Battrum

Wolves U21s were last in league action on the 4^th October with a 4-2 win over Everton at Aggborough and they would’ve been hoping that a return to league football might change their form after losses to Sunderland U21s and Wrexham. The Everton game was also the last time this Wolves side scored. West Ham’s last match was a 4-1 thumping defeat to Manchester City at the start of the month, but they had won five on the bounce prior to that.

Both teams had early opportunities when Finn Ashworth had an attempt on goal blocked before Lewis Orford would go up the other end only to fire an effort straight at Lewys Benjamin, fresh of his Wales U21 debut. Matty Whittingham would get a shot away following a corner but the former Man City midfielder flashed it wide of the goal. It was all very quiet then until the 20^th minute when Tom Edozie had an effort from outside the box that was just over the crossbar. The hammers put the pressure on to end the first half. Josh Ajala, Sean Moore and Luizao all had efforts thwarted but it was Ollie Scarles who had the best chance. A shot from the edge of the area was headed dangerously for the bottom left corner but Benjamin was quick to stop it.

The teams came back out for the second half with Favour Fawunmi replacing Sean Moore for West Ham at the break. Tom Edozie came close again, this time his headed effort came close but was just to the right of the goal. On the hour mark Ajala and Kamarai Swyer linked up well but Benjamin denied Ajala to keep his clean sheet alive. Substitute Leo Lopes was nearly the hero for Wolves but England youth international Finley Herrick saved his header comfortably. In the end, it was another sub who made themselves the hero. In the 85^th minute Caden Voice replaced Temple Ojinnaka, in the 88^th he was booked, and then in the 94^th he grabbed the winner. An eventful 10-minute cameo from the defender! Ethan Sutherland swung in a corner that found Alfie Pond at the back post who linked up with his centre-back partner well, finding Voice who made no mistake blasting it into the net with the last kick of the game.

Voice’s goal secured the three points that helps move Wolves up to 11^th in the PL2 as they look to move higher and secure a top 16 finish for the playoffs as well as a top 12 finish to ensure PL International Cup football next season. It’ll be that competition that James Collins’ group play in next when Dinamo Zagreb visit Aggborough on Tuesday. As always, admission is free to season ticket holders so be sure to support the lads and catch some midweek European action.