Wolves 1 (Angel 6) Nottingham Forest 1 (Bradshaw 28)
Wolves under-18s took a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at Compton Park on Saturday.
Richard Walker’s side made it three games unbeaten in the under-18 Premier League, with striker Dani Angel scoring for the second game running.
The forward opened the scoring inside the first six minutes, but his opener was cancelled out when the visitors drew level later on in the first half, as both teams looked for a winner in the second half but settled for a point.
It was the Old Gold who started the brighter, enjoying some early possession and they got their just reward with their first chance of the game.
Caden Voice played a perfectly weighted long ball over the top of the Forest backline, which set Angel through on the goal, and the number nine showed great strength to hold off the approaching defender, before he stabbed home at the near post to break the deadlock.
Following this, the visitors came into the game as they looked to respond. Lewis Brown turned well on the edge of the box but dragged his shot wide, before three minutes later in the 19th minute, he headed over after meeting Jimmy Sinclair’s cross.
However, on the half an hour mark, Forest did draw level, when Danny Anijsko got to the byline and picked out Alfie Bradshaw who side footed home from inside the area.
At the other end, Wolves nearly restored their advantage when Tom Edozie latched onto a long ball and took it round the onrushing keeper, before his goal bound shot from outside the area was headed off the line.
Edozie was then involved again, as the attacker won the ball back on the edge of the box with some impressive pressing, before seeing his low shot saved.
Half-time | Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest
After the half-time interval, Wolves picked up where they left off going close twice early on. Some more good pressing saw Minkyu Ji win the ball inside the area, but his attempt to square it to Angel for a tap in was thwarted by the goalkeeper who gathered.
Shortly after, Ji was provider again as his pass slipped in Fraser Harper, who forced a save from a tight angle.
With the hour mark approaching, another opportunity presented itself as Mason Reed whipped in an inviting cross, which Angel headed over the bar.
In the 73rd minute, a ball over the top by Hayden Carson caught the Forest backline square. Testimony Igbinoghene beat the on-rushing keeper to the punch, but his lob bounced just wide of the post.
Two minutes from time, Finn Ashworth went on a solo run and saw his shot from the edge of the area saved, as Wolves continued to push for a winner their second half display had warranted.
However, after being the better side throughout the second half, Wolves were nearly sucker punched at the death. A free-kick from the left-hand side was floated in the box, and duly met by Henry James who rattled the crossbar with 98 minutes on the clock.
With that, the match ended all square at 1-1, with Wolves playing some good football throughout and looking the more likely to win the game in the second forty five.
Full-time | Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest
NEXT FIVE
Stoke City (A) 27/02 U17 PL Cup
Everton (H) 02/03
Stoke City (A) 09/03
Man City (H) 06/04
Newcastle (H) 13/04
TEAMS
Wolves | Benjamin, Diomande (White 69), Carson, Voice, Igbinoghene, Rees (Ayman 59), Ashworth, Ji, Harper (Bradbury 59), Edozie (McLeod 59), Angel (Mane 59).
Nottingham Forest | Willows, Adueni (Gbopo 46), Modupe (A. Robinson 87), Robinson, Anijsko, Lister, Whitehall, Sinclair, Bradshaw (Davies 58), Brown (Flanagan 90+7), Berry.
Report by Fraser Bishop
