PL2

PL2 Report | Albion 0-0 Crystal Palace

Miller McDonald in action against Palace's PL2 team at The Hawthorns

Albion's PL2 side picked up their first point of the season on Friday night, drawing 0-0 at The Hawthorns against Crystal Palace.

Both teams had opportunities to win it over the course of what was an evenly-contested encounter, but neither managed to muster the decisive strike in the West Midlands.

Akeel Higgins on the ball for Albion's PL2 side v Palace at The Hawthorns

The visitors went looking for the opener in the early stages and forced the Baggies' trialist goalkeeper into a smart stop down low to his right after a shot came in from the edge of the box. 

At the other end of the pitch, Donte German-Ranger saw an effort blocked by a Palace defender, Souleyman Mandey fired a strike just wide from the edge of the box and Akeel Higgins' audacious attempt from the best part of 40 yards narrowly missed the target as he tried to catch Harry Lee off his line.

Dan Chimeziri on the ball for Albion's PL2 side v Palace at The Hawthorns

Opportunities continued to come in the second period. Mandey once again sent a shot just wide of the mark for the Albion and substitute Jack Bray had efforts in the area blocked by Eagles defenders. 

There were three huge chances in the final minutes of the match - two for Palace and one for Leigh Downing's side. 

Albion's trialist between the sticks made two impressive saves to deny Joseph Gibbard and then second-half sub Rylan Brownlie, before Baggies striker Dan Chimeziri - also introduced in the second 45 - steered a header from a left-wing corner over the top of the crossbar. 

Gibbard saw red for the away outfit in added time, but, sadly for the hosts, they didn't have enough time to capitalise on their numerical advantage and were made to settle for a draw.

ALBION: Trialist, Nelson, Diomande (Mohammed HT), DuPont, Humphries, Mandey (Mfuamba 57), Crowther, McDonald (Chimeziri 77), Higgins, Ntege, German-Ranger (Bray 57).

Sub: Brady (GK).

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