U21 report | Wolves 0-1 Liverpool

27th January 2023

Wolves 0 Liverpool 1 (Cannonier 84)

Substitute Oakley Cannonier struck six minutes from time to inflict a narrow PL2 defeat on Wolves under-21s at Aggborough.

The attacker scored within four minutes of entering the pitch to secure all three points for Liverpool, in an exciting encounter under the lights which saw both sides perform well.

Wolves threatened early on as Owen Farmer darted down the left before picking out Nathan Fraser in the centre, but the striker was just beaten to the ball at the near post.

The offside flag then denied both teams, as Liverpool’s Luca Stephenson was first to see his celebrations halted, before Fraser went too early at the other end.

35' | #WOL 0-0 #LIV

It's still goalless as we enter the final 10 minutes of the first half. The game is being played at a fast pace, with both sides looking dangerous and showing plenty of attacking intent.#PL2 pic.twitter.com/sOwG8tjhLt
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 27, 2023

Aaron Keto-Diyawa had a battle on his hands against the dangerous Harvey Blair, as the winger broke down the right. His cross found Max Woltman in the centre who flashed his effort wide of the mark. Blair created a second opportunity shortly after, as he shifted the ball onto his right boot, but watched his effort on goal clip the post and narrowly go wide.

Harry Birtwistle wasn’t too far away for Wolves, as he fired just wide from the edge of the box, before Louie Moulden stood firm on two separate occasions to thwart Owen Beck and Blair.

Half-time | Wolves 0-0 Liverpool

After a lively 45 minutes, the old gold looked to maintain those levels in the second period as Dylan Scicluna let fly from distance with a venomous strike, but Harvey Davies caught well in the away goal.

Then came the best chance of the match for the home side. Ty Barnett combined with Fraser to release the forward down the right, before he made up ground and picked out an unmarked Farmer in the centre. The pace on the ball sent the youngster ever so slightly wide, but he made a good connection, only to see Davies make himself big as his small touch diverted the ball agonisingly past the far post.

Owen Farmer is denied by Harvey Davies who makes a crucial save!#PL2 pic.twitter.com/QOz7uUKTHs
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 27, 2023

And a similar opportunity presented itself for the same man later in the half. This time, Justin Hubner played a ball over the top which was flicked on by Fraser, before Farmer closed in on goal and dragged a low shot just wide.

One goal was going to win the game and the killer blow came on 84 minutes. Moulden produced a superb save to deny Bobby Clark from close range, before Melkamu Frauendorf picked up the scraps and created an almighty scramble. He squared it to Cannonier who saw Humber in the way on the line, but he was Johnny-on-the-spot when the ball landed back at his feet, as the substitute scrambled home from a few yards despite Dexter Lembikisa’s best efforts on the line.

Five minutes of additional time gave James Collins’ side some late hope of claiming a point, but Owen Hesketh’s free-kick was headed over the top by Fraser, which proved to be the final action of a closely-contested fixture.

Full-time | Wolves 0-1 Liverpool

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s will be in Premier League Cup knockout action on Monday 6^th February, as they host Stoke City in the round of 16 at Aggborough.

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