James Collins’ under-23s suffered defeat to Southampton on Monday after failing to recover from an early penalty in tough conditions at Compton Park.
Kazeem Olaigbe fired home the decisive effort from the spot after just six minutes, and from that point, Wolves, featuring Fabio Silva in a bid to gain minutes, couldn’t take advantage of a number of big chances which fell their way either side of the break.
In the swirling Wolverhampton wind and rain, the old gold started slowly, and were punished five minutes in when Michael Agboola tangled with Caleb Watts, who was bearing down on goal, and the referee awarded a penalty, which was tucked away by Olaigbe.
After that goal, Wolves settled and could have been level on 14 minutes. Chem Campbell followed a promising run with a one-two with Dexter Lembikisa, which left the attacking through, but he couldn’t squeeze his near-post effort beyond Jack Bycroft.
That wasn’t the only big chance of the half for Wolves however, and by the time the half hour mark arrived, they should have been level. Luke Cundle’s cross was headed into the ground and straight at Bycroft by Silva, before the goalkeeper got a hand to Agboola’s rebound, and while the defender thought the ball was over the line, no goal was given.
Half-time | Wolves 0 Southampton 1
The opening to the second period brought very little in terms of opportunities. The best of them actually fell to the visitors, who has Thierry Small charge down the left, cut inside and have a shot kept out by Wolves stopper Louie Moulden.
The biggest chance fell to Wolves however and was created by Campbell. After Conor Carty slipped, the ball fell nicely for Lee Harkin, but with the goal at his mercy, the substitute shot straight at Bycroft, before Lembikisa lashed over the rebound.
That miss represented Wolves’ final opportunity and the Saints were able to celebrate a first win in 18 Premier League 2 matches thanks to Olaigbe’s early penalty.
COMING UP
Attention turns to the Birmingham Senior Cup in just two days for the under-23s and James Collins must decide to what level he’ll freshen up his group for the trip to Coventry United on Wednesday.
NEXT FIVE
20/10 Coventry United* (A) BSC
25/10 Newcastle United (A)
01/11 Stoke City (A)
05/11 West Bromwich Albion (H)
09/11 Crewe Alexandra* (A) PJT
*indicates first-team opposition
TEAMS
Wolves | Moulden, Scott (Birtwistle 70), Agboola (Harkin 62), Estrada, Nya, Lembikisa, Hesketh, Cundle, Campbell, Hodent, Silva (Carty 70).
Unused subs | Hubner, Tipton.
Southampton | Bycroft, Olufunwa, Small (Lett 78), Simeu, Lancashire, Watts (Smith 85), Smallbone, Chauke, Payne, Corbett (Mitchell 73), Olaigbe.
Unused subs | Wright, Burnett.
