Huddersfield 0 Wolves 1 (Holman 5)
Fletcher Holman’s early goal was the difference as Wolves under-21s took all three Premier League Cup points from Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium on Monday evening.
The tie saw Bastien Meupiyou given his first minutes in Old Gold, as the 18-year-old started in defence and played the opening 45 minutes following his return from injury.
It was the perfect start for the visitors who led inside just five minutes when Ethan Sutherland was played in down the left-hand side and crossed for Holman who made no mistake in the middle, slotting home from close range past Francis Hurl.
Huddersfield looked to respond as Jay Sway’s ball across goal made its way to Conor Falls at the back post, however he was unable to connect as the ball drifted wide.
The Old Gold found themselves in a promising position when Tom Edozie drove forward with the ball and looked to unlock the Terriers defence, but Wes Okoduwa’s final ball was too heavy for those in the middle.
Ty Barnett then skewed wide from inside the area when he controlled a neat Makenzie Bradbury pass before firing just past the post.
Barnett had a second sighting on goal when a powerful free-kick, which was heading into the bottom corner, was well-saved by Hurl in between the home sticks.
Half-time | Huddersfield 0-1 Wolves
James Collins’ side continued to apply the pressure early into the second period, with Barnett seeing a couple of efforts blocked by the Huddersfield rearguard.
Holman then so nearly scored a superb second of the evening as he latched onto a ball over the top and, despite being sent wide, still looked to fire at goal and found Hurl in the way who produced a diving stop.
Wolves had to stand firm when Huddersfield enjoyed a period of pressure of their own as both Caden Voice and Josh Gracey stood firm to block and save efforts that were heading towards goal.
Zak Abbott should have levelled with 15 to play when he was played in behind the Wolves defence and Gracey opted to stay at his goal, but the Huddersfield man dragged his effort wide of the far post, much to the relief of the Old Gold.
Substitute Leo Lopes thought he’d made it two with little over five minutes remaining as Sutherland picked out the winger with a deep cross and Lopes rose well to head back across goal, but the ball dropped just wide of the far post.
A fizzing Barnett attempt from distance so nearly sealed the points, but the goalkeeper was alert to tip the ball around the post for a corner late on.
Full-time | Huddersfield 0-1 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s host Leicester City at Compton Park in Premier League 2 on Saturday afternoon.
NEXT THREE
- 30/11 Leicester City (H)
- 04/12 Ajax (H) PL International Cup
- 10/12 Valencia (H) PL International Cup
TEAMS
Huddersfield | Hurl, Sway, Daley (Deru 81), O’Reilly, Ayina, Solomon, Falls (Bowker 46), Vost, Abbott, Ashia, Philpott.
Subs not used | Riva, Gregory, Isaac.
Wolves | Gracey, Ojinnaka, Sutherland, Meupiyou (Voice 46), Mabete, Bradbury, Okoduwa, Ashworth (Whittingham 73), Holman (Lopes 82), Barnett, Edozie (Angel 73).
Subs not used | Farmer.
