Albion Under-21s will head to Black Country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in search of their first PL2 victory of the campaign on Monday evening (ko 7pm).
The club’s academy starlets have enjoyed successes throughout their various competitions this term, with resounding results in the National League and Premier League Cup tournaments so far. But despite promising performances in the league, they only have a single point to their name.
And there’ll be no greater motivation for Leigh Downing’s youngsters to change that on Monday, with Black Country bragging rights up for grabs, and the hosts also winless in PL2 so far this term.
Last time out
It was a tough evening for Albion when they last took to their league endeavours, as Cole Dexter was the only home player on target in a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the Alexander Stadium.
Venue
Aggborough Stadium, home of Enterprise National League outfit Kidderminster Harriers, will play host to Monday’s PL2 clash.
Pre-match thoughts
Nathan Dlamini is expecting a more “aggressive” game than what the club’s young pros have been accustomed to this term when they travel to local rivals Wolves on Monday night.
A derby clash is an ideal opportunity for a member of the young Baggies’ squad to make themselves known at the club, and exciting winger Dlamini hopes to do just that under the lights.
Signing on a two-year deal in the summer after leaving Blackburn Rovers - whom he made his senior debut for along with three further appearances at first-team level, the 19-year-old has thrived off recent involvement with James Morrison’s training sessions.
But after enjoying the chance to “show his quality” to the senior coaching staff at The Hawthorns, Dlamini knows he must “produce” with goals in the final third if he’s to break into the esteemed fold in B71 - a stage he believes he can get closer to with an influential display against Wanderers.
He said: “I’m slowly getting to my best version.
“I’ve made four appearances; two starts, two off the bench, so I’m feeling fit and also getting chances to train with the first team, which I know is the end goal for me.
“I’m at a point where I’m expected to produce consistent performances through my goals and assists. I’m ready to go again now and show people what I can do.
“I haven’t scored or assisted yet, so those contributions are definitely on my mind and I know I need to start hitting my targets because I’m pretty much where I want to be; playing 75, then 80 minutes, so hopefully a full 90 is coming soon.
“It’s up to me to get involved and show my strengths, but tactically the games can be different at this level; more end-to-end, you may not have as much possession as you would in a first-team game, same with getting the ball in the final third. But I’ve got good attacking attributes and I’m a player who can create things out of nothing, it’s just about doing that on a consistent basis.
“The first-team squad were welcoming when I trained with them recently. The quality is obviously higher, but I feel on the occasions I’ve been up with them, I’ve shown my quality. So, it’s all about working hard to try and transition to them on a full-time basis.
“The assistants liked my play style and I know the senior team don’t play with wingers currently, but there’s always the option to switch to them in that system. There’s an opportunity there, literally a space if I work hard for it, so I have to show them I’m ready to take it.
“That opportunity at a higher level here feels like it’s right there. It’s a golden ticket in many ways, and there may be days in training where I maybe lose sight of that, but at the back of my mind, I know there’s a chance if I give 100 per cent.
“Monday will be my first time playing a derby for Albion. I’ve played Wolves a couple of times before, but it’ll be different test than what we’ve had recently.
“Maybe it’ll have more aggression to it, but it’s a new experience and a chance for me to play a full 90 and, hopefully, get a goal or assist.
“Every game is important, but when it’s a rival there is clearly going to be more of an edge to it. This will be my first as an Albion player and it’ll provide a small taste of what these games will be like at senior level, so it’s about having the same mindset of impacting the game.
“It’s about the end product for me. On the eye, anyone can tell I’m exciting when I’m on the ball and I want to be an entertaining player, but I know I need to add goals and assists to help us win games and that’s what I’ll keep trying to do for the team."
How to follow
Tickets will be available for Monday’s PL2 fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They can be purchased via Kidderminster Harriers' ticketing website here. Tickets are priced at Adults £4, Over 65s £2, Students/Young Adults (16-21) £2, while U16s can attend for free.
Supporters can keep up-to-date with Monday’s Black Country clash by tuning into Albion’s social media feeds.
A match report and highlights will be available after the game.
