Eighth-placed U18s to complete campaign in final stage Group 2
ALBION Under-18s wrapped up their regular season with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.A youthful U18s side containing six 16-year-olds travelled to Lancashire but quickly found themselves two goals down before the hosts added a third after the break to wrap up a routine victory, despite a much-improved second-half display from the Baggies.
It ensured Albion finished eighth in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League North Division. They now complete the campaign in final stage Group 2 and play once each of the sides who finished between fifth and eighth place in both the northern and southern sections.
That means another seven fixtures, which certainly contain a midlands flavour, against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Albion were left to rue a slow start against Manchester United on Saturday, Zak Dearnley opening the scoring after just 15 minutes before DJ Buffonge quickly doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.
Chay Scrivens saw a good chance saved at the start of the second half while the impressive Kane Wilson caused problems for Albion and duly saw an effort cleared off the line.
Yet that came after the hosts had already made it 3-0 courtesy of full-back Tyler Reid.
Albion: House, Wilson, Artymatas, Piggott, Pritchatt (Morrison 72), Melbourne, Meredith (Holsgrove 78), Dool, R Nabi, Scrivens, Pierce (Phillips 78)
Subs: Hall, Wilding.