Wolves 3 (Reynolds 14 Wilcox 18 Ballard-Matthews 34) Monaco 1 (Dodo 80)
Wolves under-21s concluded their Premier League International Cup campaign on a high with a victory over AS Monaco at St George's Park.
Goals from Fabian Reynolds, Jake Wilcox and Emilio Ballard-Matthews rounded off a superb first half, before Yannick Dodo troubled the scoreline 10 minutes from time, but Wolves held on to see out the victory.
Despite being unable to progress to the knockout stages before kick-off, an impressive performance from a youthful Wolves side - including five under-18s - ensured they claimed all three points in their final outing of this season’s Premier League International Cup.
The French visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges at St George’s Park and forced Alfie Brooks into an early save. Paris Brunner slipped Stanis Idumbo through on goal, but a smart stop from the Wolves shot-stopper turned away the danger.
Wolves soon wrestled back momentum, and a moment of individual brilliance from Reynolds earned his side an early lead. Picking up the ball on the left flank, Reynolds drove infield before lashing an effort high into the roof of the net.
Fortunes continued to improve for the Old Gold as they doubled their advantage inside 20 minutes. Makenzie Bradbury’s free-kick found Wilcox inside the area, and with a deft touch he steered the ball beyond Yanis Benchaouch in the away net.
Monaco responded positively to falling behind, with a chance falling to defender Samuel Nibombe, unmarked in the penalty area, but Brooks was equal to his headed effort.
However, the visitors were unable to make their pressure count, and Wolves extended their lead instead. A clever training-ground set-piece saw the ball worked to Ballard-Matthews on the edge of the area, and he struck a superb, fierce effort into the corner of the net.
Ballard-Matthews nearly grabbed his second of the game shortly before half-time, cutting in from the left flank and firing goalwards, but Benchaouch was well positioned to save.
Half-Time | Wolves 3-0 Monaco
Monaco started the second half on the front foot as they looked to reduce the three-goal deficit, while Wolves were largely pushed back and forced to focus on their defensive work out of possession.
Substitute Yannick Dodo glanced the crossbar with a dangerous long-range strike on the hour mark, but Wolves soon began to steadily grow back into the game after riding out Monaco’s pressure.
Despite Wolves starting to see more of the ball again, the visitors reduced the deficit with 10 minutes to go. Nazim Babai floated an inviting ball down the right flank, which evaded the Wolves defence, and released Dodo through on goal, who made no mistake in beating Brooks and finding the net.
Wolves responded to Monaco’s goal positively, and Bradbury came close to restoring his side’s three-goal lead just moments later, but Benchaouch did excellently to turn the midfielder’s effort over the crossbar.
James Collins’ young side showed maturity beyond their years to confidently respond to Monaco’s goal and ultimately see out the victory in comfortable fashion.
Full-Time | Wolves 3-1 Monaco
LINEUPS
Wolves | Brooks, Dayman, Okoduwa, Olagunju, Lembikisa, Griffiths, Senyah (Abbey 55), Bradbury, Reynolds (Williams 72), Ballard-Matthews, Wilcox (Stevens 72).
Unused Subs | Arnold, Stafford, Aneke.
Monaco | Benchaouch, Babai, Toure, Nibombe, Kiwa, Sitou, Wamu, Dembaga, Brunner Sylla 59), Idumbo (Dodo 59), Konate.
Unused Subs | Coudour, Leunga, Moulangou, Schulz, Tincres.
