Wolves 2 (Ji 21,79) Stoke City 0
Wolves under-18s picked up their third straight success in the U18 Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Stoke City at Compton Park.
A Minkyu Ji inspired performance was the catalyst for Richard Walker’s side to continue their positive momentum of late, as the forward netted in both halves, as the Old Gold limited their opponents to few chances.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and were awarded a penalty after just three minutes when Syd Agina was sent tumbling to the ground.
However, to Wolves’ delight, Lewis Bailey’s powerful spot-kick after a short run-up was sent crashing back into play off the crossbar.
But, after a cagey opening period, the Old Gold’s first chance of the game brought Ji’s second goal of the season after 21 minutes.
Makenzie Bradbury’s defence-splitting ball played Mateus Mane through, and after the striker’s effort was well saved by Ndah Cooper, Ji was on hand to convert the rebound in calm fashion.
The moment Ji gave us the lead. 📸🎯 pic.twitter.com/0wRAVfxceh
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) October 26, 2024
Conor McLeod then went in search of a second, but after a run from deep, the number 10’s driving effort was well blocked by Agina.
Cooper then put his defence under immense pressure, as McLeod anticipated a short play out from the back, before Mane’s effort was well-blocked by Ian Togo.
Minutes later, Emilio Ballard-Matthews sent in a sublime free-kick from the right flank, and after Ji was denied a second goal as his powerful header hit the post, Mane was unable to convert from close range under pressure.
Half-time | Wolves 1-0 Stoke City
The first moments of the second half saw Wolves pick up where they left off, and Ballard-Matthews’ low drive was just past Cooper’s left-hand post.
Shortly after, McLeod played in the winger, but this time his effort was skewed over the top.
Neat play from Mane then saw the ball fall at the feet of Bradbury, and his fierce effort almost caught the Potters keeper off-guard to continue the relentless pressure.
Myles Dayman was then put under pressure from Pedro Nzau, with the subsequent corner seeing Josh Gracey comfortably gather Pijus Otegbayo’s header.
Wolves were then denied a second of the game on 58 minutes, as Luke O’Donnell was adjudged to have been in an offside position after capitalising on a Saheed Olagunju flick-on.
A powerful Olagunju header then sent Mane through, but the forward’s effort lacked the power required to beat Cooper from the edge of the box.
With 20 minutes to go, the Old Gold continued to search for daylight on the scoreboard.
Once again, McLeod, Mane and Ji were at the heart of the action, with the latter eventually sending a searching ball into the box, but Mane’s flick was well saved.
Another delightful cross from Ji was stood up for Ballard-Matthews, but his stooping header forced a great save out of Cooper.
Eventually, Wolves would find the second goal with 11 minutes remaining. Substitute Reiss Bowen’s first involvement of the game saw the forward put Otegbayo and Togo under pressure facing their own goal, before playing in Ji who slotted a neat finish into the bottom right-hand corner.
Stoke looked for a consolation as Gabe Kelly’s free-kick reached Togo, but the centre-back’s header was wide of the mark, once again leaving Gracey with little work to do.
The last chance of the game fell to the visitors, as a drive from Connor Day saw the midfielder cut it back to substitute Daniel Eyaife, who blazed his effort over the bar.
Full-time | Wolves 2-0 Stoke City
COMING UP
Wolves under-18s travel to Sunderland in the U18 Premier League on Saturday 2ndNovember.
Next Three
02/11 Sunderland (A)
09/11 Leeds United (H)
07/12 Manchester United (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Gracey, Dayman, Osifo, Voice, Olagunju, Bradbury (Marwa 60), Ballard-Matthews, O’Donnell, Mane, McLeod (Bowen 75), Ji.
Unused Subs | Ruddock, Kibrya, Wilcox.
Stoke City | Cooper, Agina, Bardsley (Eyaife 84), Otegbayo, Togo, Kelly, Fearn (Dauda 84), Enabulele (Walker 78), Bailey (McNally 71), Day, Nzau.
Unused Subs | Brammer.
Report by Benedict Ferraby
