Baggies suffer narrow defeat in Old Trafford clash
ALBION suffered a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United in their penultimate Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group fixture of the season.Larnell Cole gave a second-placed United side featuring Tom Cleverley and Alex Buttner the lead in the eighth minute of the Old Trafford clash.
The Baggies were unfortunate not to equalise before the break when Scott Allan hit the woodwork but ultimately they could not find a way past the hosts’ defence.
Isaiah Brown got 66 minutes under his belt on his return from a groin injury.
"We didn't show enough intensity from the start and we conceded an average goal, which we had opportunities to stop," said development coach David Oldfield.
"We slowly came into the game and in the second half we showed a better intensity and our passing improved.
"We created a couple of half chances but didn't show enough threat on goal.
"We were a less experienced and younger side but we could have done much better."
He added: "Izzy did well and played just over an hour.
"He could do with getting a bit more fitness but did well in a more unfamiliar defensive role."
ALBION: L Daniels, Atkinson, Garmston (Francis 74), O’Neil, D Daniels, Gayle, Birch, Brown (S Nabi 66), Sawyers, A Nabi, Allan (O'Sullivan HT). Subs not used: Rose (gk), A Jones.