Wolves U23s 4 (Ashley-Seal PEN 19’, 60’; Ennis PEN 38’; Goncalves 81’)
West Bromwich Albion U23s 1 (Edwards 87’)
Report by Callum Doughty
A brace from Benny Ashley-Seal and goals from Niall Ennis and Pedro Goncalves gave Wolves all three points as they continued their unbeaten start to the season. Kyle Edwards pulled back a goal late on for the visitors.
Wolves began the game the stronger of the two sides but were unable to create an opening until Ashley-Seal was pulled down in the box by Nathan Ferguson after Oskar Burr had found him with a cross from the right. Ashley-Seal stepped up and fired home the resulting penalty kick to give Wolves the lead.
The home side then earned themselves a second penalty shortly after, Ferguson again making the foul, this time on Niall Ennis, and the West Brom man received a second booking and was given his marching orders.
Wolves were now in complete control and went close through a number of chances before Ashley-Seal grabbed his second of the game. He danced his way around a West Brom defender and slammed the ball into the roof of the net.
The best goal of the game then put the result beyond doubt. Pedro Goncalves bending in a wonderful strike from the edge of the area right into the top corner.
West Brom pulled a consolation goal back late on as Kyle Edwards turned in Morton’s cross but Wolves were the dominant side throughout, and that showed in the final score.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Despite Wolves dominance they were unable to find an opening until West Brom’s Nathan Ferguson brought down Ashley-Seal in the box resulting in a penalty to the home side. Ashley-Seal slotted home the penalty after Ferguson was booked, something which was key as Ferguson later received a second booking and increased Wolves’ dominance further.
QUOTES
Wolves manager Rob Edwards was pleased with the result but still feels his side has more to give.
He said: "The result was good but we’re not really in a results business. Results for us is developing players and trying to get them first team football. I think we develop by winning.
"There’s still lots to do but we are pleased. We constantly need to keep pushing the players to be the best that they can be, because Premier League football is a big step up.’’
COMING UP
Next up for Wolves is a trip to Norwich City in a fortnight, which is then followed by their first game in the Checkatrade Trophy game against Scunthorpe United.
NEXT FIVE
31/08 - Norwich City (A)
04/09 - Scunthorpe United (A) *Checkatrade trophy
14/09 - Fulham (A)
24/09 - Sunderland (H)
27/09 - Newcastle United (H)
TEAMS
WOLVES (4-4-1-1) | Sondergaard; Burr (Harris-Sealy, 64), Molberg (Alves,83), John, Kilman; Ennis, Watt, Stevenson, Giles (Samuels, 77); Goncalves; Ashley-Seal.
WEST BROM (4-4-2) | Palmer; Meredith, Harmon, Ferguson, Healy; Soule (Brown, 45), Wilding, Azaz (Howkins, 66), Clayton-Phillips; Edwards (Tulloch, 87), Moreton.
