West Brom U23s get off to losing start in Premier League 2 against Aston Villa U23s
Albion under-23s got their Premier League 2 campaign off to a losing start tonight when they were punished for missing a second-half penalty against rivals Aston Villa.
Alex Bradley, who had already scored for the Baggies at the Banks’s Stadium, saw his spot-kick saved by Villa goalkeeper Matija Sarkic when the scores were 2-1.
Villa had initially taken the lead with their own penalty in the 26th minute, when Jorden Lyden put the hosts ahead after Kane Wilson – who was named on the first-team bench on Saturday – brought down Corey Blackett-Taylor in the box.
Bradley levelled things up with a thunderous effort from 25 yards that bounced in off the post.
Keinan Davis then headed Villa back in front seven minutes after half-time before 18-year-old Bradley was given another chance to equalise with 15 minutes to go.
But his spot kick was saved by Sarkic before Jake Doyle-Hayes wrapped the three points up for Villa in injury time with a stunning third.
Rekeem Harper, who made his first-team debut on Saturday, Jonathan Leko, and Wilson all played an hour.
Tyler Roberts played the full 90 minutes as did Boaz Myhill, who featured in goal.
ALBION: Myhill; Wilson (Soleman 62), O’Shea (c), McCourt, Melbourne; Leko (Tulloch 62), Harper (Chambers 62), Bradley, Edwards; Roberts, Morton. Unused subs: Palmer, Clayton-Phillips.
