U23 Report: Saints 3-2 Wolves

The hosts had taken a two-goal lead, with Michael Obafemi opening the scoring, and Marcus Barnes then doubling the lead just after the hour mark.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Radhi Jaïdi’s youngsters, as a second-half Wolves revival meant Saints had to dig deep to earn all three points.

A quick-fire double, scored within 60 seconds of one another, by Elliot Watt and Niall Ennis, drew the visitors level in the second half, and made for a nervy last 20 minutes.

But, in true captain fashion, up stepped Tom O’Connor to have the final say in stoppage time, latching on to a Jake Vokins corner and directing a bullet header past Andreas Sondergaard.

The victory means Saints move to within two points of tonight’s Midlands opponents, and ensures the chase for a promotion spot is very much on.

Wolves began with urgency, clearly keen to put a marker down on away territory. The hosts were fielding the threat effectively enough, though, and were first to test their opposition goalmouth.

Will Smallbone knocked the ball down for Obafemi, who, anticipating the pass, turned his defender well and fired at Sondergaard.

The Wolves stopper got a strong hand to the shot, palming to safety, but it wasn’t long before the young striker’s pace was causing more problems.

This time, Callum Slattery was the architect. What looked to be an innocuous forward pass from the midfielder was pounced upon by Obafemi, who made effective use of some good fortune off defender Max Kilman and then only had Sondergaard to beat.

The forward waited for the keeper to make his move, before rolling the ball calmly inside the near post in the 38th minute. Wolves had indeed enjoyed plenty of possession, but it was the home side who held a slender advantage at the break.

An action packed second half followed. Pedro Goncalves was lucky to escape a second yellow for a cynical foul on Slattery just after the restart, before Barnes, growing in influence, delivered retribution.

Yet more good work from Obafemi created the opportunity, as he lay the ball off for Yan Valery to fizz a first time cross into Barnes' path, who applied the easiest of finishes in the 61st minute.

Two goals to the good, and Saints looked comfortable. But simplicity wasn’t to last. A quick-fire response had the visitors on level terms before Jaïdi’s side could even catch their breath.

Scored in the 68th and 70th minutes, Watt was on target from the edge of the box, before Ennis swivelled well in the area two minutes later, firing top right to restore parity.

Not to be deterred, though, it was the hosts who had the final say. Deep into stoppage time, and after a late flurry of corners, skipper O’Connor made the difference. The midfielder towered above his opposition defender, and sent a thumping header past Sondergaard to seal a vital three points for his side.

It was no less than the hosts deserved, but certainly made harder than it needed to be after Saints failed to press home their advantage. Maximum spoils, nonetheless, and a characterful performance from Jaïdi's young troops got the job done - eventually. 

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  45

  55
• Shots
  15

  14
• Shots on target
  5

  5
• Corners
  6

  3
• Passes Complete
  344

  433