Albion Under-21s fell just short in a hectic Premier League 2 encounter with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Leigh Downing’s young hopefuls went ahead twice, notching through Miller McDonald, an own goal and Ryan Colesby, but were ultimately edged out at the Reds’ Academy base.
The Baggies made a roaring start to the encounter on Merseyside, courtesy of direct running from Remar McNeil, who sent a low ball across the box, leaving Miller McDonald to prod home at the back post and hand the visitors the opener.
Though the hosts equalised after 25 minutes, Trey Nyoni freed forward Will Wright, who rounded ‘keeper Brian Okonkwo to level the scores.
Downing’s side restored their advantage two minutes later, the in-form Souleyman Mandey latched onto a deflected effort, before seeing his strike bundled over the line by Liverpool defender Noah Adekoya.
The goals continued to flow for both sides, as Liverpool midfielder Nyoni turned from provider to scorer to tap in Trent Koné-Doherty’s unselfish cutback - equalising for the hosts once again.
But it was the Reds who took the lead for the first time in the game on the stroke of half-time. Fresh from a senior appearance in the Emirates FA Cup against Brighton the day prior, Rio Ngumoha slammed an audacious bending strike into the top corner to end a tumultuous first half.
The hosts continued their scoring form at the beginning of the second period when Kieran Morrison steered a fourth past Okonkwo.
But another slice of magic from McNeil, who also scored on Merseyside during the U17s' Premier League Cup run, saw Colesby calmly stroke past Ármin Pécsi and get one back for the Baggies.
With virtually the last kick of the game, Clae Ewing made a vital block for the hosts as Alfie Maughan looked to have poked home an equaliser meaning Albion's hopefuls left Merseyside empty-handed.
Albion: Okonkwo; Maughan, Diomande, Abudu, Nelson (Letlat 68’), Blackshields (Ranger 83’), Colesby, Mandey (Mfuamba 58’), McDonald (Francis-Caesar 68’), McNeil, Ntege.
Substitutes: Moses.
With thanks to Liverpool FC for photography.
