Wolves under-21s experienced a difficult night in the torrential rain at Aggborough, as James Collins’ side were beaten by West Ham United after playing with 10 men for more than 70 minutes.
Defender Kam Kandola was forced to play in goal after Palmi Arinbjornsson saw red early on, with the substitute sensationally saving Kamari Swyer’s penalty in his first piece of action. However, the Hammers eventually ran out comfortable winners despite the best efforts of the old gold who fought well, but with little reward.
A well-worked team move 12 minutes in saw Aaron Keto-Diyawa burst down the left before crossing for Nathan Fraser in the centre who made contact, but not quite enough to trouble Joseph Anang.
Wolves were dealt the crucial blow on 17 minutes when Arinbjornsson misjudged a ball over the top before bringing down Swyer inside the area, as referee Scott Simpson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing the goalkeeper a straight red card.
With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, Kandola was called upon to take Arinbjornsson’s place in between the sticks. The defender’s first task was to face Swyer’s spot-kick and he stood up to the test, diving to his right to save a powerful effort from 12 yards in sensational fashion.
KANDOLA SAVES SWYER'S PENALTY!! 👏#PL2 pic.twitter.com/aaznZFLZZ1
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) March 20, 2023
The Hammers thought they’d taken the lead when Kandola could only punch a corner back up into the air, before Levi Laing looked to scramble the ball over the line but after it came back off the underside of the crossbar, Kandola found the ball in his grateful arms.
However, West Ham did eventually get their breakthrough just shy of the half hour mark as Regan Clayton’s corner caused problems. He curled an in-swinging cross into the area and the ball crept in at the near post, after seemingly taking a touch off Kandola in the centre.
There was no doubting that the away side’s second goal came courtesy of Clayton’s left boot. After George Earthy had helped the ball on into an attacking position, Clayton had space to run on and fire high into the net leaving Kandola with no chance.
Despite being a man light, Wolves stuck to their task in difficult circumstances and Tyler Roberts, fresh from international duty with Jamaica, saw a deflected effort travel just wide as the half drew to a close.
Half-time | Wolves 0-2 West Ham
The home side started the second 45 positively, although it was the Hammers who came closest to adding to their tally. The ball was worked out to Clayton who fancied another, but the fingertips of Kandola were there to deny him, as the stand-in-stopper produced a fine save.
A gutsy display from this man tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/oBue1Aa9X2
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) March 20, 2023
Kandola was less fortunate as the visitors added a third when despite looking to have claimed a cross, the ball spilled out of his gloves and bounced in off the back of the unlucky Christian Marques.
West Ham were denied a fourth when Kandola again sprang into action to tip an effort from the edge over the top of the bar.
There was little he could do with the last two, as Mark Robson’s side added a fourth and a fifth late on.
First, substitute Lewis Orford scored a well-taken effort after placing his strike into the bottom corner, before Archie Woods squeezed in a free-kick deep into stoppage time.
Full-time | Wolves 0-5 West Ham
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s return to action following the conclusion of the international break, with a trip to face Everton on Friday 31st March.
NEXT FIVE
- 31/03 Everton (A)
- 07/03 Tottenham (A)
- 10/04 Everton (H)
- 14/04 Fulham (A)
- 24/04 Crystal Palace (H)
TEAMS
Wolves | Arinbjornsson, Birtwistle (Kaleta 81), Keto-Diyawa (Mabete 62), Tipton, Marques (Ojinnaka 81), Hubner, Roberts (Harkin 81), Esen, Fraser, Barnett, Farmer (Kandola 18).
West Ham | Anang, Chesters, Luizao, Potts, Casey, Laing, Appiah-Forson (Battrum 88), Woods, Swyer, Earthy (Orford 80), Clayton (Fawumni 88).
Subs not used | Baptiste, Knightbridge.
