EDS's proud unbeaten PL2 run is ended by Wolves | OneFootball

City’s Elite Development Squad suffered a night of frustration at Wolves, going down 3-1 as our six-month unbeaten run in Premier League 2 came to an end.

Ben Wilkinson’s side had made a flying start at Aggborough, Emilio Lawrence firing us into a third minute lead thanks to an exquisite strike.

However, the game turned on its head after the break.

First Tawanda Chirewa drew the hosts level on 57 minutes and then the dangerous winger struck from the penalty spot on 76 minute to put Wolves ahead.

And a late effort from substitute Danny Angel served to confirm victory for Wolves and inflict only a second defeat of the season on Wilkinson’s league leaders.

What happened

City stepped out at Kidderminster seeking to maintain what had been a superb run of form in PL2 with the Blues unbeaten since an opening day defeat at Liverpool last August.

And within three minutes the City youngsters got off to a perfect start with Emilio Lawrence firing Ben Wilkinson’s side ahead.

Wolves keeper Lewys Benjamin saw an attempted pass out intercepted by Divin Mubama and Lawrence executed a quite superb right foot chip from just outside the box over the stranded Benjamin to fire City ahead.

It was the left winger’s fifth PL2 goal of the season and further illustration of the impressive form and consistency he has shown all season for the City youngsters.

And it was more Lawrence magic that almost set up City for a second goal on 23 minutes.

A fine driving run from Stephen Mfuni saw the defender tee up Lawrence on the periphery of the Wolves box.

In turn he picked out a driving run from Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and the winger left fly from 20 yards with Mubama coming within an ace of touching the ball in.

Four minutes later Lawrence was within a whisker of his second, a low shot striking the outside of the left post after a teasing Alfa-Ruprecht cross had caused more panic in the home ranks.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic however and Blues keeper Oliver Whatmuff needed to be alert on the half hour to deny both Chirewa and Edozie in rapid succession in a warning of what was to come.

Whatmuff was called into action again on 37, producing an excellent save to deny Chirewa after the Wolves winger lashed in a powerful shot from 15 yards out.

City came again as half time loomed with the dangerous Mubama carving out a fraction of space before fizzing in a 20-yard drive that was straight down the throat of the Wolves keeper.

Lembikisa then had Whatmuff scrambling after weaving his way into the City box and drilling in a low effort which the City keeper palmed round the post.

And the Blues shot stopper was straight back into action soon after the restart, needing to be alert to palm another effort from the dangerous Chirewa behind for a corner.

City were then a whisker away from a second goal as a Heskey cross ball from the right edge of the box took a wicked deflection off Ojinnaka and looped just over the bar with the Wolves keeper stranded.

But it was Wolves who did strike, drawing level on 57 minutes through Chirewa.

Max Alleyne was dispossessed in possession as he sought to move out from the back and Chirewa needed no second invitation to fire home a low shot from 14 yards to draw the hosts level.

City sought to summon up a quick response with the lively Lawrence flashing a 70th minute effort just the wrong side of the Wolves goal.

But it was Wolves catalyst Chirewa who proved a thorn in City’s side once again on 75 minutes, hitting a second goal to put the hosts ahead.

The winger stepped up to convert a penalty he had won after being adjudged to have been bundled over in the box by Alleyne.

And a frustrating second half was compounded seven minutes from time when substitute Danny Angel struck to extend Wolves’ lead.

Chirewa was again the architect, his through-ball taking a wicked deflection off Jacob Wright into the path of the onrushing Angel who made no mistake from close range to seal the win.

How we lined up

Oliver Whatmuff was in goal for City and shielded by a back four of  Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne, Stephen Mfuni and Seb Naylor.

Skipper Jacob Wright was the holding midfielder with Jaden Heskey and Justin Oboavwoduo also in the engine room.

Divin Mubama was our central striker with Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Emilio Lawrence on either flank.

WOLVES | Benjamin, Ojinnaka (Sutherland 64), Hubner, Meuipiyou, Pond, Traore (Bradbury 45), Lembikisa, Cundle (Whittingham 45), Fraser (Angel 64), Edozie (Reynolds 55), Chirewa

EDS XI  | Whatmuff, Samuel, Alleyne, Mfuni, Naylor, Wright, J Heskey, Oboavwoduo (Dickson 74), Alfa-Ruprecht, Mubama, Lawrence (R Heskey 74)

Subs | Noble, Hudson, Okeke.

What it means

Despite a second defeat of the season, City remain top of the PL2 table – for 48 hours at least.

We have 31 points from 13 games.

However second-placed Fulham, who lie one point behind, have the chance to overtake us on Monday when they play Crystal Palace

What’s next

The City youngsters are next in action on Saturday, February 8 when we make the short trip to tackle Blackburn Rovers.

Kick-off in east Lancashire is slated for 13.00pm (UK).