Club News

U18 Premier League: Albion 3-3 Aston Villa

Fenton Heard

Albion's Under-18 side played out a six-goal thriller in their derby day clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.

The young Baggies started brightly, quickly getting into gear and creating a number of opportunities before taking the lead in the 10th minute.

It was Layton Love who would give Albion the advantage, heading home an Evan Humphries cross to get Leigh Downing's side off to the best possible start.

It didn't take long for the visitors to level proceedings, though, when Charlie Lutz scored from a set-piece shortly after the opener.

But Albion were undeterred and controlled play throughout the rest of the half - soon going back in front.

First, Fenton Heard tapped in Alex Williams' cross, before Femi Olofinjana doubled the advantage after heading home a Tobias Hurlock corner.

It looked as though the Baggies were to run home winners, however Villa mounted a comeback in the second half. Lutz pulled one back soon after the restart and then completed his hat trick in the 63rd minute to level the game.

With each side battling to find a winner, it was Albion who would spurn the best opportunity to claim all three points - Love seeing a header go just wide of the post late on, ensuring the game ended all-square.

Albion: Hudd, Williams, Humphries, Mfuamba, Phillips, Olofinjana, Hurlock (Kirton 71), Richards (Oliver 59), Love, Higgins, Heard. 

Unused substitutes: Cisse, Sumnall, Kone.