Match Review: Boro U21s 3 Wolves U21s 2

A double from substitute Jeremy Sivi saw Boro Under-21s record a first win of the new Premier League 2 season, defeating Wolves 3-2 at Heritage Park.

A first-half turnaround from the visitors had Wolves in front at the interval before half-time substitute Sivi bagged two in nine minutes to clinch all three points.

On a glorious clear evening in County Durham, Mark Tinkler made three changes to the side that was cruelly denied a first three points of the season seven days ago.

Calum Kavanagh and Aidan Bridge came in for Fenton John and captain Jack Stott, who completed a short-term switch to York City earlier in the day, while there was also a change in between the sticks with Henry Popple replacing Nathan Fisher.

Due to an issue surrounding one of the nets, there was a delayed start to proceedings but Popple was required to make two vital stops inside the opening six minutes.

First, the Boro keeper spread himself to deny Owen Hesketh before a cat-like reaction save saw Nathan Fraser’s header palmed away.

Great defensive instincts were further required from Ben Beals who, with Popple committed to the edge of his area, prevented a goal-bound shot on the line.

Boro’s first opening of the contest came through Calum Kavanagh’s relentless running, the Irishman nipping in ahead of Kim Kandola and the pass falling agonisingly short of Max Howells, who was primed and ready to let rip.

However, Kavanagh’s persistence would soon pay dividends. A silky pirouette from Terrell Agyemang proved the spark for a surge upfield and Kavanagh’s honest play saw him ride one challenge before he was upended in the area.

Stepping up from the penalty spot, the striker sent goalkeeper Palmi Arinbjornsson the wrong way to hand Tinkler’s charges the lead.

Boro then looked to capitalise on a loose pass in the Wolves midfield, Kavanagh squaring to Nathan Simpson as a crowd of bodies snuffed out the danger.

Kavanagh saw a header saved at the near post as Boro looked to increase the advantage, but Nathan Fraser’s well-taken volley restored parity shortly after the half-hour mark.

A queue of Boro players were lining up as the Teessiders looked for an immediate response, Arinbjornsson quickly off his line to wrestle the ball from the feet of Jack Hannah.

And, seconds later, the Wolves no.1 was involved again to prevent Kavanagh from notching his second of the game with a low left-footed strike.

A lovely free-flowing move almost restored Boro’s lead, Kavanagh stretching into the arms of Arinbjornsson as the offside flag was raised.

With two minutes remaining, referee David Richardson was pointing to the spot once more, Popple adjudged to have fouled his man in the area and Hesketh converted from 12 yards.

Tinkler enacted a double switch as the match resumed with Jeremy Sivi and Yacou Traore brought into the fray for Beals and Bridge.

As the sun went down behind the West stand so did the game’s open nature. Both sides struggled to retain possession after the restart.

Afonso Lindo’s introduction saw Boro change tact as Tinkler threw caution to the wind with three orthodox forwards and instantly Kavanagh was unfortunate to see a header glance over.

Having handed Wolves a warning, Boro were back on level terms soon after. Max Howell’s inviting delivery was laid on a plate for Sivi to tap home at the back post.

Not resting on his laurels, the substitute capitalised on a loose ball to poke Boro back in front with just four minutes remaining, firing past a cacophony of bodies in and around the six-yard box.

And resisting a late spell of Wolves pressure, Boro held on to maintain our unbeaten start in the newly formatted division.