WOLVES U21S BEAT OLDHAM ON PENALTIES IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP

Oldham Athletic 2-(p)2 Wolves U21 – Boundary Park, Wednesday 6th November (NL Cup)

Oldham XI: Moloney, Clucas (45), Doro, Sutton, Kay, Gardner, Hammond, Uchegbulam, Khan, Garner (45), Stones (45)
Subs: Norman, Moore (45), Holden, Ndienguila, Teixeira, Muhammed (45), Dielunvuidi (45)

Wolves XI: Benjamin, Okoduwa, Ojinnaka, Mabete, Hubner (45), Sutherland, Griffiths (62), Whittingham (72), Cundle (62), Edozie (72), Holman
Subs: Amos, Voice (45), Bradbury (62), Ashworth (62), Lopes (72), Farmer (72), Angel

Wolves came into this game needing a boost after a heavy defeat to Liverpool U21s in their last match. Oldham progressed to the next round of the FA Cup last weekend, but they were likely keeping an eye on their upcoming match against Barnet, a crucial game for both sides in the promotion race. Oldham named a bench filled with academy talent to complement their ten changes from the cup tie, while Wolves welcomed back Justin Hubner.

Wolves started stronger, applying early pressure with a series of corners. Fil Mabete, wearing the captain’s armband, tried to lead by example but failed to keep his shot down after the ball fell to him in the area. Shortly after, Edozie found Mabete again from another corner, but his header hit the post and bounced out. Scott Moloney and Fletcher Holman exchanged chances at Boundary Park, with the Oldham keeper denying Holman twice with close-range saves. Harvey Griffiths also had a golden chance but shot over the bar. Josh Stones, who had just rejoined Oldham on loan from Wigan a day earlier, marked his return with a goal. A mistake from Lewys Benjamin in goal allowed Joe Garner to seize on a loose touch, with Stones rolling the ball into an empty net.

Ethan Sutherland received a long ball from Hubner soon after and cut it back to Holman, who blasted his shot into the roof of the net to level the game. However, it would only last a minute before a scramble in the penalty area from an Oldham corner allowed Uchegbulam to fire a half-volley through a crowd of bodies and into the net. Oldham took the lead into half-time.

The home side made three changes at half-time, including two academy players, while Caden Voice came on for Wolves. Abubakar Muhammed should have extended the Latics’ lead but wasted his chance, gently rolling the ball to Benjamin. At the other end, Matty Whittingham tried his luck with a volley but missed the target. Eventually, it was super-sub Voice who launched Holman away with a long ball. Wolves’ number nine remained calm in front of goal, placing the ball into the bottom corner past Moloney.

Wolves could have won late on, with both wing-backs playing key roles. Sutherland and Okoduwa were denied by Moloney, while substitute Owen Farmer also failed to beat the former Bury keeper. The match ended in a draw, leading to a penalty shootout for the bonus point.

Benjamin gave Wolves an early advantage, saving the first penalty low to his right. Holman, Okoduwa, and Sutherland all missed, while Benjamin saved Josh Kay’s penalty, allowing fellow Welsh youth international Makenzie Bradbury to convert the winning spot-kick for his side.

Wolves U21s have the weekend off before returning next Tuesday to face Salford City in the BSM Trophy. Both sides have already been eliminated from the group stage, but it’s another chance to face senior opposition. Wolves fans should note that away supporters will be seated in block H of the North Stand.