Wolves 1 (Mane 30) Liverpool 2 (Onanuga 59, Sonni-Lambie 66)
Despite taking the lead, Wolves Under-18s ended up on the wrong side of the result after two quick goals from Liverpool in the U18 Premier League on Saturday.
The Old Gold seemed to have carried a lot of momentum from the two late goals in their previous fixture against Everton with a quick opening that started with a free-kick near the edge of the Liverpool penalty area that was hit into the top of the wall by Mateus Mane.
Wolves were by far the better side throughout the first half an hour or so of the game, with multiple chances that almost lead to breaking the deadlock.
The hosts would create more chances by attacking down the flanks of the Liverpool side with Jake Wilcox having a chance to score his third goal in two games with a header that just went over the bar before an attempt from Mason Stevens rattled the bar from just inside the penalty box.
Mane put Wolves ahead on the half hour mark after the frontline pressed the Liverpool defence and the eventual mistake gave the striker a one-on-one chance that he calmly put away with a chip over goalkeeper Bailey Hall.
After going ahead, the pressure continued from Wolves as they looked to extend their lead but Liverpool were able to keep tight at the back and had a couple chances of their own before the break but were unsuccessful.
Half-time | Wolves 1-0 Liverpool
As dominant as Wolves were at the beginning of the first half, that’s how Liverpool were to start the second 45 minutes, with a drilled shot from Joe Upton hitting the post just about keeping the home side ahead.
Liverpool wouldn’t be behind for much longer as just before the hour mark they won a corner that they played short before the ball was worked towards Fola Onanuga on the edge of the box who struck the ball first time past Wolves’ George Hardy.
The visitors took the lead with their next attack as they won a free-kick that was also hit into the wall by substitute Joe Bradshaw, before fellow sub Ben Trueman fired the rebound towards goal – his effort was parried out into the path of Joshua Sonni-Lambie who tapped in the eventual winner.
Wolves would once again end the game stronger than their opponent with a few attempts at the Liverpool goal but none were as close as opening goalscorer Mane’s shot in the 90th minute when he cut inside and made the travelling goalkeeper get his fingertips onto the ball to help it over the bar.
Full-time | Wolves 1-2 Liverpool
NEXT THREE
29/03 Nottingham Forest (H) U18 Premier League
05/04 Manchester City (H) U18 Premier League
12/04 Stoke City (A) U18 Premier League
LINEUPS
Wolves | Hardy, Elendu (Saba 60), White, Voice, Ford, Marwa, Stevens (Bowen 85), Dayman, Wilcox (Osifo 46), Mane, Greenwood (McLeod 67).
Unused sub | Grieves.
Liverpool | Hall, Airoboma, Owen, Moran, Williams, Martin (Bradshaw 62), Upton, Ayman, Onanuga (Trueman 62), Ngumoha, Sonni-Lambie.
Unused subs | Bernard, Enahoro-Marcus, Ahmed.
By Rivaan Athwal
