Louie Lefevre brings you all the latest from Wolves U21s draw with West Bromwich Albion U21s at Aggborough.
Wolves U21s 1-1 West Bromwich Albion U21s – Monday 17th February 2025, Aggborough – PL2
Tom Edozie stole the show with his silky running and top positioning, scoring the opener, while Aaron Ket-Diyawa shone on his return to the starting lineup. Bastien Meupiyou also got valuable minutes in as he continues his first season in English football. West Brom fielded senior defender Gianluca Frabotta, who played the full 90 at the back.
A freezing cold Aggborough played host to a PL2 Black Country derby on Monday night and it was a rapid start for the Wolves youngsters. Leo Lopes’ cross managed to reach Tom Edozie at the back post who threw himself at the ball to put his side ahead.
Former Wolves U18 Mo Diomande was at the back for West Brom, and nearly came back to haunt his former club, but his deflected effort was well met by in-form goalkeeper Josh Gracey. Harry Whitwell pressed the Wolves defence well to win possession in a dangerous area but rushed his shot and blazed it high and wide. Wolves did well to restrict Albion opportunities in the first half, with Keto-Diyawa and Edozie linking up well on the left.
The baggies wasted no time in their search for an equaliser after the restart. Eseosa Sule lured Gracey off his line before chipping the ball across to Deago Nelson who somehow managed to head wide of an empty net.
Not long after, Richard Beale’s side found themselves level. Alex Williams threaded the ball through to Whitwell who just managed to get his shot beyond Gracey and into the Wolves goal.
Wolves provided no threat in the second half, and it certainly didn’t help when Leo Lopes had to be helped off after pulling up and clutching at his hamstring. Bastien Meupiyou and Justin Hubner both put in classy displays to hold off the opposition’s attack.
Akeel Higgins came agonizingly close for West Brom but slammed his powerful effort off the crossbar. Sule could only jab the rebound wide. The visitors should have gone home with all three points with a golden opportunity at the death. Sule escaped the old gold back line and had only Gracey to beat, but the former Glenavon shotstopper rose to the occasion. The keeper made himself back and managed to get a boot on the effort as it fizzed towards his bottom corner, ensuring Wolves got their share of the points.
Wolves will be happy with the draw after being under pressure for the second 45, especially off the back of their exit from the National League Cup. It will have to be a quick turnaround for James Collins’ team with Tottenham Hotspur U21s the next challenge. The two sides clash in the Premier League 2 at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium with a 7PM kick-off on Friday.
Wolves XI: Gracey, Dayman, Pond, Hubner, Meupiyou (71), Keto-Diyawa (77), Ashworth, Whittingham, Edozie, Lopes (71), Angel
Subs: Voice (77), Olagunju (71), Mabete, Barnett (71), Reynolds
West Brom XI: Cisse, Frabotta, Mohammed, Diomande, Williams (80), Hall, Mandey, Whitwell, Higgins, Nelson (80), Sule
Subs: Wallis, Humphries, Kirton, Parker (80), McDonald (80)
article by louie Lefevre
Wolves fan and South Bank season ticket holder currently studying in Salford. I enjoy cricket, tennis and boxing but football has always been my favourite sport. I am particularly interested in youth football for Wolves and England. I am also a referee and my favourite player is Craig Dawson!