Baggies suffer loss at second-placed Wanderers
ALBION were defeated 2-0 by Bolton this afternoon in their final Barclays Under-18 Premier League fixture before the Christmas break.
Goals from George Iliev and Zach Clough earned the second-placed hosts their tenth victory of the campaign.
The Baggies will ply their trade in Tier One of the Premier League following the festive period thanks to a mid-table finish.
Lead development coach James Shan is pleased with his side’s turnaround after losing five of their seven opening games.
“In terms of results we have improved greatly as the season has gone on but we were performing well before the results started going our way,” said Shan.
“We improved going forward in the second half of the season and we were definitely more resilient and dogged.
“We picked up more confidence in our latter fixtures and we were better in front of goal.
“We went on a decent run and picked up 13 points in the six games prior to today.
“We haven’t changed our style or our formation, or, the way we play, but we have improved in different parts of the pitch which has helped us earn some positive results.
“We want to play against the best football teams we can so I’m bitterly disappointed we won’t be in the Elite Group.
“We’ve done well to get in Tier One and we’ll be playing against some good sides so we’re looking forward to that but for now we’re focussed on our cup tie with Blues.”
Albion's FA Youth Cup third-round clash with Birmingham will take place at Solihull Moors’ Damson Park ground on Monday, December 10 (ko 7pm).
Tickets for this fixture will be available on the gate and are priced £4 adults and £2 over-65s, students and under-19s.
ALBION: Palmer; Francis, McCalla, C Jones, Smart, Ambalu (Birch 50), Pace, S Nabi, Barrow (Wedderburn 46), Oldnall, A Jones (Greenidge).