U18 Report: Saints 3-1 Wolves

A first-half strike from Nick Oyekunle put Saints ahead and they doubled their lead after an own goal in the 76th minute.

Wolves halved the deficit through Finlay Ashworth just three minutes later but Nick Oyekunle found the net again with a long-range chip in stoppage-time to confirm the victory.

Saints got off to a perfect start in the cup. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)

Saints started the contest brightly with each of Jay Robinson, Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez and Will Merry finding space to run at the Wolves defence.

The latter had the hosts’ first shot of the game when he was played in by Robinson on the left, but saw the ball deflected away for a corner by a covering Wolves defender.

A free-kick in a good position then provided Saints midfielder Harrison Miles with an opportunity to break the deadlock, but his strike from around 30 yards was saved comfortably by Wolves goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin.

Wolves then went closest to going ahead just past the half hour when Fraser Harper was teed up outside the box and sent a skidding effort inches wide, with the ball bending narrowly past the post.

However, Saints were rewarded for their patience in the 36th minute when an excellent move saw them take the lead.

Rodriguez turned his marker and advanced towards the Wolves area before playing Aston Daley into the right side of the box; Daley’s whipped ball across the face of goal was met by the timed run of Oyekunle who turned home from close-range.

Nick Oyekunle (left) scored a brace at Staplewood.

Saints started the second half well and could have doubled their lead when Merry was played behind the Wolves backline, but his cross flashed along the six-yard line and away from danger.

Merry was again involved when his driving run and pass set up Oyekunle again but the striker’s powerful effort was beaten away by Benjamin in the Wolves goal.

The game remained competitive but with most of the play in the central areas of the pitch as Saints again bided their time before pouncing to add their second goal of the evening.

On 76 minutes, Merry muscled off a Wolves challenge on the edge of the penalty area and had a clear path to goal before choosing to square the ball into the path of defender Brayden Clarke who diverted into his own net.

The second Saints goal seemed to spark Wolves into life though, and they were given a lifeline with 11 minutes left when Finlay Ashworth halved the deficit by clipping a long-range effort over Saints' goalkeeper Dylan Moody.

However, the home side defended well and made it 3-1 late on when Oyekunle intercepted a clearance from Benjamin and remained calm to chip the ball into the empty net.

Saints are back in league in action again on Saturday 30th September when they host Fulham with kick-off at 11am.

Saints: Moody, Okonola-Matthews, Moore, Dobson-Ventura (c) (Sesay 85), Sheaf, Miles (Prescott 88), Gomes Rodriguez, Daley (Williams 64), Oyekunle, Robinson, Merry.

Subs not used: Upstell, Myers.

Goals: Oyekunle 36, 90+1, Clarke (OG) 76.

Yellow cards: Miles 17, Oyekunle 59.

Wolves: Benjamin, Diomande, Clarke, Ashworth, Carson, Patterson (Voice 71), Reynolds (Salmon 45), Harper (Edozie 57), Ji, McLeod, Plank (Bizadbury 57).

Subs not used: Nyakudua.

Goals: Ashworth 79.

Yellow cards: Patterson 70, Clarke 81.