What happened
It was a quickfire return to action for the City youngsters, with the trip to the Midlands coming less than 48 hours after Thursday’s agonising FA Youth Cup final loss on penalties to Liverpool.
As such, manager Gareth Taylor made wholesale changes to the side as City looked to end our final U18 Premier League away game on a high.
And it was City who struck first at the West Brom Training Ground.
D’Margio Wright-Phillips was the architect, laying on a fine assist for Keke Simmonds who finished with aplomb to open the scoring on 27 minutes.
However, City’s advantage was to prove short-lived.
Within five minutes the young Baggies were back on level terms thanks to a strike by Taylor Gardner-Hickman.
The young Blues came out after the break looking to reassert control but instead it was Albion who struck the decisive blows.
Within two minutes of the restart the hosts were ahead thanks to an effort by Morgan Rogers.
And though City dominated both possession, territory and shots on target, Albion struck once more on 77 minutes through Jovan Malcolm to seal all three points.
How we lined up
Gavin Bazunu was in goal, shielded by a back four of Timi Sobowale, Yeboah Amankwah, CJ Egan-Riley and Sammy Robinson. Joe Hodge was the midfield anchor with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru further forward. D’Margo Wright-Phillips and Henri Ogunby provided width down either flank with Keke Simmonds and Cole Palmer deployed as the twin strike threat.
What it means
The result moves City down a place to seventh position in the Premier League Under-18s table
What’s next
City round off our Premier League Under 18 league campaign on Tuesday, April 30th with a home clash against Liverpool at the CFA. Kick-off is 11am.
