ROMAN Bednar staked his claim for a first-team place with a brace in the opening Barclays Premier Reserve League (South) clash of the season.
But the Czech striker's first-half double - scoring in the second and 45th minutes - proved in vain as the ten-man Baggies threw away a two-goal lead at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road.
Spurs pulled a goal back four minutes after the break before young Albion defender James Hancox was sent off in the 72nd-minute for deliberate handball on the goalline.
Albion were doubly punished when Tottenham levelled the scores from the resultant penalty.
And the hosts made their one-man advantage count by snatching a winner four minutes from time.
Albion reserves boss Michael Appleton said: "We were up against it when we went down to ten men but did enough to get a point.
"Before we had a man sent off we had numerous chances and could have been 3-0 up before Spurs scored.
"Their keeper made several good saves.
"The lads put a good shift in and the game could have gone either way - a draw would have been a fair result.
"The difference in quality in this league compared to last season is noticeable and it was a really good, quick game.
"It's going to be a tough season but it will be a good education for the younger players."
Appleton added: "I challenged all the strikers before the game to show they could score goals.
"Roman did well to get a couple and he could have had more with a bit more luck."
TOTTENHAM: Alnwick, Hughton, Berchiche (Smith 64), Hutchins, Dervite, Rocha (Mtandari HT), Fraser-Allen, Maghoma, Barcham, Rose, David Hutton. Subs not used: Button, Olsen, Townsend.
ALBION (4-3-3): Allsop; Pike, Hancox, Martis, Saeid; Samuels, Labadie, Downing (Slusarski HT); MacDonald, Bednar, Moore (Clarke 77). Subs not used: Lake-Gaskin, Wood, Mantom.
Subscribers to our SMS breaking news service got this story first. To sign up, simply text CLUB WBA NEWS to 88442 (texts cost 25p each) or click here. |