Narrow defeat for Baggies
BOAZ Myhill, Callum McManaman and Cristian Gamboa all played 90 minutes as Albion’s Premier League 2 campaign began with a 1-0 defeat at Swansea City.
Defender Sebastien Pocognoli started at left-back and completed 77 minutes before being replaced by Callum Pritchatt.
The senior quartet all got valuable minutes under their belts but they were unable to prevent an opening day loss in south Wales where Oliver McBurnie’s 70th minute strike secured the points for the Swans.
In a lively first-half the Baggies came close to opening the scoring through Andre Wright who hit the bar with a header while James Smith saw his close range effort saved by Swans’ goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel.
Smith then came close again with a header after 20 minutes before Dan James forced Myhill into a smart save from his deflected strike.
The hosts picked up the tempo in the second period and had chances to take the lead but Ki Sung-Yeung, McBurnie and James were all denied.
Swansea’s pressure told though with just 20 minutes left on the clock when McBurnie pounced on a loose ball and slotted past Myhill.
James Shan’s men were unable to find a way back into the game and will hope for a better result when they entertain Fulham at Aggborough on Monday, August 22 (ko 7pm).
“It was a disappointing display,” said Shan.
“We did ok in the first-half and we created some very, very good chances.
“Andre Wright has hit the bar with a header and James Smith should really score but has hit the ‘keeper.
“We should’ve scored at least two of our four or five excellent chances.
“Second-half they controlled the game and dominated possession and chances.
“The goal we conceded was really sloppy and a poor individual mistake which we are disappointed about.
“Just before their goal Boaz made a top save but we weren’t at the races tonight.”
ALBION: Myhill, Gamboa, Fitzwater, O’Shea, Pocognoli (Pritchatt 77), Smith (Nabi HT), Sweeney, Ward, McManaman, McCourt (Elbouzedi 65), Wright.
Unused subs: Rose, Barbir.