Baggies bow out of Premier League Cup
ALBION suffered a 2-1 defeat by Hull City in the U21 Premier League Cup Round of 16 at The Lamb.
Adil Nabi gave the Baggies a 48th-minute lead but two goals in ten minutes saw the visitors through to the quarter-finals.
The Tigers looked certain to score early on but George Cleet was on hand to deflect a close-range Greg Luer strike wide of the right post.
Jack Rose made a superb one-handed save to keep out Johan Ter Horst’s low 15-yard effort on 17 minutes.
Ter Horst was again frustrated by Rose five minutes later with the Baggies stopper diving to his right to parry a fierce half-volley.
Tyler Roberts went close for the Baggies on 31 but saw his 25-yard lob fall just beyond the left post.
Adil Nabi opened the scoring three minutes into the second half. The 21-year-old collected the ball just inside the area before curling beyond Rory Watson and inside the left upright.
Harvey Rodgers headed home Josh Clackstone’s corner to equalise for the visitors on 58 minutes.
City were ahead ten minutes later when Greg Olley blasted past Rose from eight yards.
The Baggies piled pressure on Hull in the closing moments of the second half but were unable to create a clear-cut opportunity.
Under-21s boss James Shan has called on his side to reproduce the form they displayed before Christmas.
“I’m disappointed with the result and the performance.
“We’re in a bad patch at the moment and it seems to have coincided with the Christmas break.
“We’re trying to create a winning culture and it’s also important we find ways to not lose games if we are unable to win them.
“We need to kick on and repeat the form we produced in the first half of the season.”
The Baggies now prepare for a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, January 25 (ko 7pm).
ALBION: Rose; Ezewele, Fitzwater, Cleet, McCourt; Elbouzedi (Scrivens HT), Ward, Field (S Nabi 63), Edwards (Forss 90); A Nabi; Roberts.
Subs not used: Ross; Barbir.