Three Baggies youngsters featured for their loan clubs over the weekend, with Akeel Higgins earning further minutes in Sky Bet League One and midfielders Harry Whitwell and Cole Deeming competing in the third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Winger Higgins came on at the start of the second half for Exeter City who narrowly lost 2-1 at Bolton Wanderers in the third tier.
The Albion academy graduate replaced Sonny Cox on an afternoon where the visitors went in 1-0 up at the break courtesy of Jack Aitchison’s strike.
Two goals in the final 20 minutes from Sam Dalby and Thierry Gale did the damage for the Trotters, though. The defeat means Akeel’s men are 22nd in the standings, two points adrift of safety.
46 | Play resumes here at the Toughsheet Community Stadium with a Grecian change:
⬅️ Cox
➡️ Higgins
BOL 0-1 #ECFC | #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/VRdt4xKxgP— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) December 13, 2025
Elsewhere, there were contrasting cup emotions for Whitwell and Deeming.
Whitwell's Forest Green Rovers recorded a thumping 4-0 home victory over Weston-super-Mare in round three of the FA Trophy, while Deeming's Truro City were defeated at Southend United by the same scoreline.
Both Albion midfielders completed full games for their teams.
Harry helped himself to an assist at The New Lawn Stadium, delivering a brilliant cross into the middle of the penalty area where Kyle McAllister was waiting to nod into the bottom corner at the start of the second 45. The Scot added a second shortly after, before Jayden Clarke went on to bag a brace and complete the scoring.
Jack Bridge notched twice at Roots Hall, with Harry Cardwell and Josh Walker also on target for the Shrimpers against Cole's club.
