Prolific EDS open PL2 campaign with Wolves win

Eager to transfer our impressive form from the EFL Trophy into our first Premier League 2 outing of 2026/27, City needed just six minutes to kickstart our league campaign, with Kylan Midwood tapping home from close range.

Tyrone Samba quickly doubled our lead in the 18th minute with a fine finish after he’d done well to regain possession deep in the Wolves half.

Floyd Samba then added his name to the scoresheet to complete a clinical opening 45 minutes after his panenka penalty made it 3-0.

And Xavier Parker completed the scoring with a close-range finish soon after the restart to hand Oliver Reiss’ side a dream start to PL2.

WHAT HAPPENED

It was an idyllic Monday evening for our first Premier League 2 fixture of the new season, as the sun began to set over our home, the Joie Stadium.

And our young blues enjoyed a perfect start to proceedings, taking an early lead when Midwood pounced after Christian Dunbar-McDonald’s cross from the right had been spilled.

City set the tempo and looked hungry to impress with Tyrone Samba, Floyd Samba, Dunbar-McDonald and Xavier Parker causing plenty of problems in the attacking third.

When out of possession, City were determined to win the ball back instantly, and our high press was rewarded just before the 20-minute mark when Samba stole the ball from Myles Dayman and drove towards the Wolves box.

Just before he passed the 18-yard line, the winger fired a clinical effort into the bottom right corner to double the advantage.

And City roared into a three-goal lead with five minutes left to play of a clinical first half performance, as Samba was fouled in the box and referee Aaron Bannister pointed straight to the penalty spot.

His brother, Floyd, converted from 12 yards when placing his spot kick down the middle, to hand the Blues a commanding half-time advantage.

Oliver Reiss shuffled the pack at the break, with Xavier Parker moved into the number nine position after Midwood made way for Brooklyn Nfonkeu, and City continued to turn the screw.

And the former was in the right spot to convert from close range on 54 minutes after Tyrone Samba’s effort deflected into his path.

The remaining half hour of the game was a lesson in seeing out the victory, as City controlled the game with possession and quick movement of the ball.

Our best chance to add a fifth saw Dunbar-McDonald’s shot collected by Arnold as Oliver Reiss’ youngsters earned a comfortable and equally rewarding clean sheet to mark the start of our PL2 campaign.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Chabot, Henderson-Hall (Courtman 75’), Noble, Drake, Braithwaite (Tevenan 79’), Miles (Fapetu 64’), Dunbar-McDonald, F. Samba (Gorman 79’), Midwood (Nfonkeu 46’), X. Parker, T. Samba

SUBS | Hudson, Wain

WOLVES XI | Arnold, Dayman, White, Lochhard, Okoduwa, Rawlings (C), Medina (Ballard-Matthews 55’), Xu (Ashworth 65’), Mangue, Ji, Edozie (Anunlopo 65’)

SUBS | Benjamin, Nolan-Ruddock, Aneke, Fraser

AS A RESULT

City earn three points in our first PL2 game of the campaign.

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround for our young blues as our focus now shifts to our Premier League 2 trip to Nottingham Forest.

We take on the East Midlands outfit on Friday 28 August, with kick-off set for 19:00 (UK).