ALBION Under-18s beat off some of big-name European teams to storm to the final of last week's five-a-side tournament hosted by German side FC Aalen.

The Baggies beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 and FC Nuremberg 3-1, drew with Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 and lost 2-1 to the hosts to qualify from the first group stage.

Albion then beat St Pauli 5-3 and Armenia Belfield 2-1 in the second group stage to reach the semi-finals.

A 3-0 victory over VfB Stuggart followed but the Baggies slipped to a 5-2 defeat by Borussia Monchengladbach in the final.

Coach Michael Appleton said: "We've never entered a five-a-side tournament before so it was a new experience for all of us, coaches included.

"We took nine players with us, which in hindsight was too few players, because most teams took 14 players.

"It was good tactically for us and enjoyable.

"It was a great experience for the boys and they did ever so well to get to the final.

"Unfortunately we ran out of steam towards the end."

The Under-18s suffered a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday as they returned to FA Premier Academy League action after the Christmas break.

Sebastien Lake-Gaskin pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 in the 55th minute but United ran out winners.

Appleton added: "I felt sorry for the boys because they gave me absolutely everything.

"We were unlucky to concede three goals to long-range screamers.

"We showed them a bit too much respect in the first half but in the second half we really got at them and caused them all sorts of problems.

"We got it back to 2-1 and then conceded a sloppy goal from a throw-in.

"We then hit the post and bar before they scored again.

"It was a frustrating afternoon.

"But if the lads keep giving me the same work-rate and enthusiasm then we'll start winning games.

"Confidence is low at the moment because we haven't won for a while and it's my job to keep them believing things will turn around."

Albion host Bolton on Saturday (ko 11am).

ALBION (4-4-2): Allsop; Gale, Clarke, Downing, Martin; Thorne, Mantom, Worrall, Knight (Brown 30); Lake-Gaskin (Wood 52), Elford-Alliyu. Subs not used: Lovell, Sawyers, Samuels. 

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