City’s Under-23s were routinely beaten by a strong Wolves side, goals from Luke Cundle, Owen Hasketh and Jack Scott securing a 3-0 win for James Collins’ side.
David Wright chose a young City development side, under-18s Sean Stewart, Saxon Early and Sam Blair selected as the much heralded Colney production line continues to produce.
After a hectic and scrappy opening eight minutes, it was Wolves who threatened first, working the ball to the byline where Hesketh saw his cross-shot blocked. From the resulting corner, the Wanderers number 9 forced City keeper Blair into his first save of the match, diving to his left to stop Hesketh’s low drive.
Four minutes later, he had no chance. Hesketh curled towards goal from the corner of the box, Cundle stealing in to divert beyond the young Irishman.
A controversial decision then saved City in the 18th minute, when young midfielder Early fouled on the edge of the box when already on a yellow card, luckily given only a final warning. This appeared to shock the young Canaries into action, and after an error at the back nearly let Tom Dickson-Peters in, the Norwich striker teed up Jordan Thomas to hit the post from the edge of the box.
After a calmer period in a frantic game, the home side wrestled back control courtesy of midfielder Owen Otasowie, whose driving runs forward became a theme. He charged through to go one-on-one with Blair, but the Irishman stood firm as Otasowie looked to chip home.
The Wolves number 8 then blasted over from the edge of the box, before Blair held his third consecutive attempt, this time a mid-range header, well.
After an energetic and motivated start to the second half by David Wright’s Norwich side, Wanderers’ quality told to put the game to bed.
A good passing move found Taylor Perry on the edge of the box, the Wolves striker slipping the ball in behind for Cundle, who centred for Hesketh to get the goal he deserved.
The Canaries then threatened, an excellent through ball from Melvin Sitti setting up Dickson-Peters for their best chance of the game, but the number 9 placed the ball just wide of the far post.
Four minutes later, Wolves made them pay; Scott with a routine header from a corner, sealing the deal for the boys in old gold.
Dickson-Peters had the chance to get a consolation in the 82nd minute, but his powerful header was well saved.
A third defeat on the bounce for David Wright’s Under-23s, who look to rediscover their form on Friday at home to West Bromwich Albion.
Player Ratings: Blair (8); Thomas (7), Warner (6), Tomkinson (6), Nizet (6); Springett (7), Khumbeni (6), Early (5), Stewart (5), Sitti (6), Dickson-Peters (7). Subs: McAlear (6), Dennis (6), Giurgi (6)
What did you make of Sitti today? Does he play defensive midfield?
Sitti was okay when he got on the ball but not as involved as usual. He’s played all over the place for the 23s but his best position in my opinion is as an attacking 8
Is he likely, in your opinion, ever to feature in the first-team squad, Sam?
I think it really hangs in the balance, his loan was a real waste of six months of his development. I don’t think he’s Premier League ready yet, but I’d say that he probably will be involved either if he’s still at the club the next time they’re in the Championship or if he can get a really good loan next season
I do enjoy occasionally catching up with our academy sides when they are featured on an opponents TV channel. Perhaps its something that we could consider?
With the bulk of our eligible players either on loan or with the first team squad we do occasionally look a little weak in comparison. Wolves were streets ahead and we lacked firepower. On the plus side we appear to have a happy knack of producing fine goalkeepers. This one appears no exception to that rule.
With regard to sitti, he has got something about him and as we made our substitutions he was moved to a different midfield role on three occasions.
To their credit, the youngsters stuck to their task but the first team won’t be losing too much sleep as it stands.