Wolves 1 (Chiwome 46) Sheffield United 2 (Atherton 8, Boyes 65)
Wolves under-21s were narrowly beaten by Sheffield United in the Premier League Cup at Aggborough Stadium on Tuesday night.
In their first game of 2025, James Collins re-introduced Nathan Fraser, Tawanda Chirewa and Dexter Lembikisa back into the squad after loan spells away from the club.
Despite Leon Chiwome’s effort which got the hosts level just after half-time, goals from Alfie Atherton and Harry Boyes proved to be the difference between the sides.
Ethan Sutherland’s early cross presented Leo Lopes with an opportunity to open the scoring, however his drilled strike was saved by a diving Henry Molyneux.
Within the opening 10 minutes, Atherton’s strike found the bottom corner to give the Blades the advantage.
Chirewa’s set-piece forced Molyneux into an athletic save just a few minutes after Wolves had conceded.
Despite Collins’ side still trailing, Wolves maintained possession of the ball and controlled the tempo of the game but struggled to create any clear-cut chances to find an equaliser.
Half-time | Wolves 0-1 Sheffield United
Instantly after the restart, Wolves were back on level terms as a long-distance strike from Chirewa was palmed away into the path of Chiwome who finished from close range.
Wolves were controlling the momentum and were in full flow going forward. Goal scorer Chiwome had two chances to extend the hosts’ lead but was denied by Molyneux.
The Blades regained their lead against the run of play when a drilled effort from Boyes was fired past Lewys Benjamin.
The Old Gold continued their search for a second equaliser, but some determined defending from the visitors meant they could not find the goal they needed and were defeated, despite their best efforts.
Collins’ side will now turn their attention to Premier League 2 action as they are set to travel to the VBS Community Stadium to face Crystal Palace on Monday 20th January.
Full-time | Wolves 1-2 Sheffield United
LINE UPS
Wolves | Benjamin, Okoduwa (Lembikisa 63), Hubner, Mabete, Voice, Ashworth, Lopes (Reynolds 77), Rawlings, Chiwome, Chirewa (Fraser 63), Sutherland.
Subs not used | Olagunju, Bradbury.
Sheffield United | Molyneux, Curtis, Boyes, Giggs, Tahir (Sasnauskas 45), Hough, Cummings, Aston, Francis, Hampson (McLachlan 81), Atherton.
Subs not used | Hewitson, Parr-Pearson, Havenhand.
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Report by Thomas Gibson
