U18 Report | Arsenal 2-2 Albion

Archie Kirton.

Albion's youngsters fought their way to a hard-earned draw with Arsenal, with a last-gasp equaliser from Archie Kirton securing a point for Leigh Downing's side on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners started strongly, netting the opener after just 12 minutes through Max Dowman.

But the Baggies responded in lightning-fast style through Dan Chimeziri just three minutes later, after Kirton found room to cross for the striker to find the back of the net.

The Gunners piled on the pressure to regain their lead, and did so via Chido Obi just ahead of the half hour mark.

The hosts looked to add a third ahead of the break, but a string of fine stops from Albion goalkeeper Ben Cisse kept the Baggies in touching distance heading into the second 45.

Downing's youngsters put in a much improved second-half display and could have been level from the spot, but Adriel Walker's penalty was saved by the Gunners goalkeeper as the game approached the final 30 minutes.

It looked as though the Baggies' resurgence was to go without reward, but Kirton ensured the game would end level after a slick move with Divine Onyemachi created enough space for the midfielder to find the bottom corner with a sweet left-footed strike in the first minute of added time.

ALBION: Cisse, Nelson, Dupont, Morrish (Sears), Humphries, Kirton, Mfuamba, Mandey, Beedie (Onyemachi), Chimeziri, Walker (Cherchi).

Unused subs: Wilkes (GK).

  • U18s
  • Academy