WOLVES U21S’ VICTORY AT HUDDERSFIELD

Huddersfield Town B 0-1 Wolves U21 – Monday 25^th November, John Smith’s Stadium (PL Cup)

Huddersfield XI: Hurl, Daley (81), O’Reilly, Ayina, Abbott, Solomon, Vost, Sway, Ashia, Philpott, Falls (45)

Subs: Riva, Deru (81), Gregory, Bowker (45), Isaac

Wolves XI: Gracey, Okoduwa, Mabete, Meupiyou (45), Ojinnaka, Sutherland, Bradbury, Ashworth (73), Barnett, Edozie (73), Holman (82)

Subs: Voice (45), Whittingham (73), Lopes (82), Farmer, Angel (73)

Summer signing Bastien Meupiyou made his first appearance in Wolves colours, playing the opening 45 minutes against Huddersfield, while Edozie felt positive after making the matchday squad against Fulham last weekend. Fope Deru returned for Huddersfield following an 18-month injury layoff.

Wolves started strongly when Ethan Sutherland received the ball on the left. His delivery found Fletcher Holman, who finished from close range. Huddersfield nearly equalised through Holman’s goal, as Jay Sway crossed for Conor Falls, who could only poke the ball wide of Gracey’s goal. Wolves controlled the first half and could have taken a two-goal lead into the break had it not been for Francis Hurl. The goalkeeper did well to deny Ty Barnett’s well-struck free kick.

Meupiyou was replaced by Caden Voice for the second half, but it was another centre-back making headlines. Fil Mabete weaved through defenders, but his shot went wide. Holman was denied his second goal from a tight angle, and Josh Gracey nearly gifted the hosts an equaliser with a loose pass. Luckily, the Wolves goalkeeper easily claimed Cameron Ashia’s shot. With 15 minutes to go, Zak Abbott had a golden chance to level the score but fired wide. Ty Barnett and substitute Leo Lopes had opportunities to secure the win, but Wolves couldn’t find a second goal. Lopes’ header came agonisingly close to dropping in at the far post. Huddersfield could not find a way back, meaning Holman’s goal condemned them to a fourth consecutive Premier League Cup defeat.

Wolves secured a positive result on the road, with many impressive performances. Fletcher Holman has become a goal machine this season for the U21s, while Gracey has stepped up well from U18 to U21 football in the last two matches, filling in for Lewys Benjamin. There’s not much to say about Meupiyou. Wolves dominated the first half, so he had little defending to do. He looked good when called upon and moved the ball around well, but Wolves fans will want to see more from the promising Frenchman, especially during this injury crisis in his position. Wolves are now level on points with second-placed Sunderland in their PL Cup group and have a strong chance of progressing, while Huddersfield are almost out with two games left. James Collins’ side control their own destiny, with the game against Sunderland at Aggborough on 3rd February looking like the decisive fixture. The U21s are back in action on Saturday, hosting Leicester at Compton in the Premier League 2, while the U18s face Boldmere St. Michaels tonight in a rearranged fixture following last week’s weather postponement.