Owen Hesketh netted a first-half hat-trick as Wolves under-21s confirmed their progression into the knockout stage of the Premier League Cup at Sunderland.
In their first encounter of 2023, James Collins’ side were relentless throughout the opening 45 minutes and found themselves four goals to the good at the interval. Harvey Griffiths set the tone with an outstanding solo goal, before Hesketh stole the show with three of his own, before Sunderland pulled one back in the second half through Michael Spellman.
Wolves were hungry from the outset and played at a high intensity, giving their opponents little time to settle at Eppleton CW. There was an early shout for a penalty following a strong Tyler Roberts run and cross which found Hesketh at the back-post who was taken down. The referee waved the appeals away, before Owen Farmer followed up with a deflected effort that flew wide of the mark.
It took just eight minutes for the old gold to make their pressure pay, as Griffiths opened the scoring early on. The midfielder picked up the ball just inside his own half and drove with power and intent leaving three Sunderland players in their wake. Griffiths worked his way into a shooting position where the ball positioned invitingly for him to fire low beyond the reach of Adam Richardson and into the far corner.
Harvey Griffiths does it all on his own 👏#PLCup pic.twitter.com/aI6UBof72i
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 5, 2023
There was no let-up as Roberts proved a nuisance on the right wing and after an exquisite Oliver Tipton ball over the top, Roberts shifted his way inside the defender and curled one just wide of the post. That was the first of a hat-trick of chances for the same man, who forced Richardson into a firm save at his near post, before shooting over the bar from close range following neat interchange down the left between Farmer and Aaron Keto-Diyawa.
However, Wolves weren’t to be denied again as another driving run down the left from Griffiths saw him pick out Hesketh who rifled the ball into the roof of the net with a first-time finish off the inside of his boot.
There was no way Owen Hesketh was missing this one! 💥#PLCup pic.twitter.com/pCh4V5ydYy
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 5, 2023
The same duo were involved in Wolves’ third of the afternoon, with Roberts the middle man this time. Griffiths picked out the wideman with a pinpoint crossfield pass that was nodded down into the path of Hesketh, who made no mistake from the edge of the six-yard box.
Griffiths is involved once again as Roberts nods down for Hesketh's second 😮💨#PLCup pic.twitter.com/p7SeIAkqiL
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 5, 2023
If there were any New Year cobwebs to brush off from their 17-day break from a game, Wolves weren’t showing any signs of them. Nathan Fraser was next to try his luck with an attempt from outside the area which rattled the underside of the crossbar.
A half full of energy and intent still had one more goal in it, and there was no surprise to see Roberts involved in winning the penalty which led to it. The winger used quick feet in the area and was brought down, allowing Hesketh to step up and convert from 12 yards to complete his hat-trick.
Half-time | Sunderland 0-4 Wolves
An early chance in the second half fell for Roberts, who deserved a goal for his performance throughout. After being picked out at the back-post, Roberts threw his head towards the ball, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.
As expected, the second 45 was less eventful than the first and it was more about game management for Wolves, rather than going in search of a fifth.
However, Sunderland did manage to claw one back when Spellman met a flick-on inside the area to fire low past Palmi Arinbjornsson.
Collins made full use of his substitutes bench with his visitors comfortable in the game, as Jack Scott, Fil Mabete, Temple Ojinnaka, Jack Hodnett and Ty Barnett all given minutes.
On a difficult day for the home side, the Black Cats ended the game with 10 men as Ethan Kachosa picked up a second yellow card with two minutes left on the clock. And with the damage done in the first-half, Wolves were able to comfortably see the game out and qualify for the last 16 of the competition with a game to spare.
Full-time | Sunderland 1-4 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s return to PL2 action for the first time since early November, as Blackburn Rovers pay a visit to Compton Park on Sunday afternoon.
NEXT FIVE
- 08/01 Blackburn (H)
- 13/01 Chelsea (A)
- 18/01 Celtic (H) PLIC
- 23/01 Tottenham (A)
- 27/01 Liverpool (H)
TEAMS
Sunderland | Richardson, Kachosa, Jessup (Pye 55), Wilson, Bainbridge, Burke (Chiabi 66), Scott (Moore 73), Taylor, Middlemas (Robinson 66), Spellman, Gardiner.
Subs not used | Cameron.
Wolves | Arinbjornsson, Birtwistle, Keto-Diyawa, Griffiths (Ojinnaka 62), Tipton, Pond, Roberts (Scott 79), Scicluna (Mabete 69), Fraser (Hodnett 69), Hesketh (Barnett 62), Farmer.
