Albion Under-21s lost 3-1 to fifth-tier Boreham Wood in their second National League Cup group match on Tuesday night.
Senior experience told at the Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park as, despite taking the lead in the game through Torin Ntege’s maiden goal for the campaign in the first period, Leigh Downing’s youngsters were made to pay.
Junior Dixon levelled the match at the end of the first 45, and second-half strikes from Charlie Clayden and Erico Sousa confirmed victory for the hosts under the lights.
After a shaky start at the back, the visitors grew into proceedings and enjoyed the better exchanges of the first 45.
Lapses in concentration did allow the hosts a short foothold in the encounter, though, with a Deago Nelson block sending a close-range shot onto the roof of the net, while Jon Benton’s powerful effort had to be parried over by the young Baggies’ trialist shot-stopper.
After that spell, Downing’s men had good chances; midfielder Souleyman Mandey seeing a shot tipped over the bar, attacker Jack Bray had a goal-bound shot cleared off the line, before another frontman made the breakthrough for Albion.
Ntege was on his heels to close down a home defender, stealing the ball in the process on the edge of the box and although pressure was applied by the onrushing goalkeeper, the forward advanced and finished calmly on 36 minutes to put the away team in front.
It looked like they’d retain their lead with half-time looming but, sadly, the Baggies conceded in the final minute of stoppage time at the end of the first 45.
Charlie O’Connell headed a long ball forward across the face of goal for striker Dixon to squeeze in and level matters going into the second period.
Unfortunately, Clayden got Luke Garrard’s men in front 16 minutes after the restart - finishing off a fast-paced move from a couple of yards out, and Erico Sousa netted a third just minutes later to round off a determined, individual charge forward into the box with a fitting finish.
Late substitutions were made to try and get Albion back in the game, but Downing's team couldn't find the goal which would spark a comeback - meaning a second straight defeat in their National League Cup campaign.
The young Baggies' will have a chance to produce a response in Group B next month when they travel to Braintree Town on Tuesday, October 21 (ko 7pm).
Albion: Trialist, Nelson, Dupont (Mohammed 74), Diomande (c), Humphries (Ranger 74), Crowther, Mfuamba, Mandey (Blackshields 83), Ntege, Bray (Chimeziri 74), McDonald (Maughan 62).
Substitutes: Brady (GK).
