Wolves bow out of FA Youth Cup

Ahead of Kenny Jackett taking his team to the Madejski tomorrow, Jerry Gill's under-18s bowed out of the FA Youth Cup after being comprehensively beaten by Reading at Molineux, losing 3-0.

It meant the youngsters exited at the fifth round stage of the competition, and missed out on a possible quarter final trip to Chelsea.

As in one of the earlier rounds, Gill was able to call on his ringer Bright Enobakhare, allowed to feature as he's not in Jackett's first team squad.

But the gifted young Nigerian couldn't inspire the youngsters, who have deeply impressed on occasion this season and were without injured star striker Niall Ennis, to victory on a cold, rainy Molineux evening.

In an entertaining game Wolves still created enough chances to match Reading, but they lacked the clinical touch of their opponents.

Reading were by far the most composed and technically advanced team Wolves have faced in the competition so far.

And the young Royals, who currently sit second in the Under-18 Premier League South and beat leaders Chelsea last weekend, made an excellent start, confidently spraying the ball around midfield.

They tested Wolves with two efforts from outside the box and had the hosts on the back foot from the outset - so it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 19th minute.

Captain Josh Barrett sent over a low cross from the left and striker Sam Smith turned it past keeper Rhys Bills.

The Wolves cubs have played three games at Molineux this season - beating MK Dons and Metropolitan Police in the cup and Middlesbrough in the league - and this was the first goal they had conceded.

Twelve minutes later they'd conceded their second, with clinical impressive taking charge.

The same players combined, with Barrett going on a wonderful jinking run, drawing Bills from his goal and and prodding inside for Smith to slam home from a yard out.

It was a huge test of Jerry Gill's team's character - but they responded in exactly the right way, taking the game to the visitors.

A Christian Herc shot hit Enobakhare and bounced not far wide, left-back Cameron John did brilliantly to get to the byline and cross for Joe Delacoe whose headed practically bounced across the goalline.

Then Connor Ronan won back possession in midfield and played to Enobakhare, who cut inside and drove a low 20-yard effort a few inches past the post.

That was half time - and Wolves knew they had to start the second half strongly if they were to claw their way back into the game.

Sadly for Gill's charges it was Reading who regained the momentum and extended their lead nine minutes after the break.

Barrett capped a fine performance by scoring it after taking Omar Richards' through ball and guiding past Bills.

The Royals were completely in charge, with Wolves struggling to match them for power and physical presence.

Credit to Wolves, they continued to play their football in what would be a fruitless bid to salvage the tie.

Enobakhare crossed for Delacoe, who couldn't quite the ball out of his feet when just a couple of yards from goal.

And then Armstrong nodded Ronan's cross wide after drifting in from the right flank.

Ultimately they were beaten by the better team on the night, and indeed Smith should have had a hat-trick but blazed over when through on goal.

And Gill's team really knew it wasn't their night when substitute Nicu Carnat's shot hit the underside of the bar, bounced just in front of the goalline and to safety, with a few minutes to go.

There was still time for the most impressive piece of defending of the evening - that man Smith rounded Bills and fired goalwards, but imposing centre half Ryan Leak was there on the line to acrobatically clear and prevent the scoreline becoming a rout.

Wolves (4-2-3-1): Bills; Ball, Johnson, Leak, John; Finnie, Ronan; Armstrong, Enobakhare, Herc (Carnat,57); Delacoe (Allan,. Subs: Beesley, Osbourne, Levingston.

Attendance: 350.