Tottenham 1 (Donley 78) Wolves 1 (Barnett 84)
Ty Barnett struck six minutes from time to rescue a share of the spoils for Wolves under-21s at Tottenham Hotspur on Good Friday.
After falling behind on 78 minutes, the visitors fought back and levelled to secure a crucial point in the battle to remain in PL2. James Collins’ men were the better side for the majority of the 90 minutes and created more openings in front of goal, but were unable to make that pay while they were on top.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a point, with Spurs remaining in the bottom two, just one point below Wolves who sit a place above in the table.
Wolves made a bright start to the game being played at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium, with Nathan Fraser poking over the top of the bar following a Dexter Lembikisa cross into the box.
The same man then capitalised on a loose touch in the Spurs defence before closing in on goal but, with the angle slightly against him, the striker could only smash into the side netting.
Some neat interchange between Owen Farmer and Justin Hubner down the left-hand side saw the latter storm into the penalty area before being caught in two minds, as he swung his boot at the ball and fired over.
Wolves were in the ascendency and a flowing move then saw Harry Birtwistle cleverly poke the ball past his marker before driving on and finding Farmer out wide. He waited for the run of Barnett on the outside as the attacker received the ball and crossed for Fraser at the near post, who could only head over the top.
The visitors were getting closer and this time, the ball was played out from the back as Owen Hesketh collected it from Louie Moulden before playing an exquisite ball over the top to Birtwistle who waited for bodies to join him. After spotting the run of Farmer at the back post, Birtwistle delivered a teasing cross that was attacked well by the diminutive figure, before he found Josh Keeley in his way who tipped a towering header over the top.
We're getting closer. This time, Owen Farmer sees his header tipped over the top by Josh Keeley!#PL2 pic.twitter.com/rVoGo7JaI3
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 7, 2023
At the other end, Moulden had to be alert to save well from Nile John when the Spurs man received the ball inside and let fly from the edge, with the Wolves stopper getting down low to palm away.
Half-time | Tottenham 0-0 Wolves
Spurs were the side quick out of the blocks in the opening minutes of the second 45, as Moulden was called into action with a diving save to deny a long-range strike.
It was a big 45 minutes ahead for both sides who needed the PL2 points in their quest for survival. Farmer so nearly broke the deadlock when he latched onto a loose Tottenham pass and aimed for the bottom corner, but Keeley scrambled across to claw the ball around the post just as it looked to be creeping in.
There was frustration as Wolves created yet another opening with Farmer again reaching the loose pass before crossing to the head of Fraser, but the striker nodded just wide of the far post.
With 25 minutes of the game left to play, Wolves welcomed midfielder Harvey Griffiths back onto the pitch following a period out with injury. Fraser was the man to depart, as Farmer went inside to play the number nine position.
With 12 minutes on the clock remaining, Wolves were dealt a killer blow when the hosts opened the scoring. After getting in behind down the left-hand side, a low was cross was turned home by Jamie Donley.
The old gold needed fighting spirit if they were going to find a goal that got them back level, and that’s just what they managed to conjure up. Birtwistle played a neat ball to substitute Josh Esen out on the right and with bodies in the middle, he got his head up and picked out Barnett. The midfielder took one touch on his chest before striking low with his left boot into the bottom corner to level and earn a valuable point.
Ty Barnett levels against Spurs! 🙌#PL2 pic.twitter.com/bvWJK2xJk2
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 7, 2023
Full-time | Tottenham 1-1 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s complete their double-header of fixtures on the Bank Holiday weekend by hosting Everton at Aggborough on Monday evening.
NEXT FIVE
- 10/04 Everton (H)
- 17/04 Fulham (A)
- 24/04 Crystal Palace (H)
- 29/04 Man City (A)
TEAMS
Tottenham | Keeley, Cassanova, Craig, Sayers (Dorrington 46), Fagan-Walcott, Bowen (Ajayi 71), Cesay, John, Soonsup-Bell (Williams 65), Donley, Santiago (Mathurin 90+1).
Subs not used | Maguire.
Wolves | Moulden, Lembikisa (Esen 77), Hubner, Tipton (Kandola 83), Marques, Pond (Keto-Diyawa 83), Birtwistle, Hesketh, Fraser (Griffiths 65), Barnett, Farmer.
Subs not used | Arinbjornsson.
