Albion U18s 2 Manchester United U18s 3

Despite gaining a two-goal advantage Albion Under-18s failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the U18 Premier League Cup after falling to a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United at the training ground.

The young Baggies went into the game needing a victory by at least three goals to secure their place in the next round of the competition - and Peter Gilbert’s side had the perfect start as Finley Thorndike fired them into an early lead after five minutes.

Things got even better for Albion three minutes later as they were awarded a penalty, which Thorndike slotted into the bottom corner. 

However, a Charlie McCann penalty just before the half-hour mark and another spot-kick just after it levelled the scores for the visitors.

Then, with Albion unable to get themselves back ahead, Omari Forson netted for the Red Devils with less than quarter of an hour to play to steal the victory.

The two sides will face each other again on Saturday, this time in the U18 Premier League.

ALBION: Emery; Williams, Hill, Grant, Ashworth; Iroegbunam, Andrews; Teixeira, Richards (Fellows 62), Thorndike; Faal (Malcolm 55).

Substitutes: Boruc, Williams, Gilbert.