Rob Edwards regrets lack of control in Wolves' Trophy loss
Academy boss Rob Edwards believes his Wolves Under-21s side failed to control the game in their 2-1 loss to Mansfield Town in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Wolves went 2-0 down through goals from Jacob Mellis and Malvind Benning before 20-year-old Pedro Goncalves pulled one back with a stunning free-kick (75).
Edwards spoke of his disappointment at the defeat but praised the team spirit his players showed.
The 35-year-old manager said: “I’m disappointed, no-one likes to lose games.
“I can never question the commitment or spirit of the group, but I thought we lacked knowledge of the game at the beginning of both halves. We didn’t control the game enough, but I thought in the second half we did show some really good quality.”
Wolves went into the fixture looking for their first win of the competition, having earned a point in their opening cup game against Scunthorpe in September.
They now need to beat League Two Lincoln City in their final group game and hope Scunthorpe are beaten by Mansfield to qualify for the knockout stages.
Edwards’ side found themselves behind within five minutes after Mellis was found in space inside Wolves box, before sliding the ball beyond the onrushing Will Norris.
Wolves grew into the game after that setback and Niall Ennis forced a smart save from Conrad Logan in-between the Mansfield posts.
However Wolves were pegged back again, for the second time just minutes after kick-off in the game, when Benning fired into the net after Norris had punched a Mansfield free-kick to edge of the box.
Goncalves responded with a well-struck free-kick with 15 minutes to go but that proved a consolation.
