City had gone in 1-0 up at the break at the CFA thanks to Alfie Harrison‘s neat finish on 37 minutes.
Harrison then saw a second half penalty saved before West Brom got back on level terms in the second half through Divine Onyemachi.
Baggies keeper Louis Brady made a number of good saves to keep the scores level, but a point was still enough to see Ben Wilkinson‘s side advance through the group stages.
WHAT HAPPENED
City started well in the opening exchanges and Harrison went close after Divine Mukasa pulled the ball back for him.
West Brom gradually came into the game as the first half wore on. Ezra Carrington made a goal saving block to prevent Eseosa Sule from scoring while City keeper Jack Wint saved Oliver Bostock’s curling shot.
City’s Christian Dubnar-McDonald threatened with a run in behind, but West Brom keeper Louis Brady rushed off his line to stop him.
Sule then had a great chance to put the visitors in front after going one-on-one and slotting his shot wide.
However it was City who struck first when Dunbar-McDonald played in Harrison to slot in his eighth goal of the season.
The second half started like the first with City on the front foot. Seb Naylor drove one inviting cross across the face of goal but nobody could apply the finishing touch.
Referee Bilal Moosa then awarded City a penalty after Archie Kirton handled Harrison’s shot on the line. Harrison stepped up but was denied by an excellent save from Brady.
And City were made to rue that miss when a looping header from Onyemachi brought West Brom level just after the hour.
City then pushed forward in search of a winner with Baggies keeper Brady saving from Heskey, McDonald and Harrison as a hard fought encounter finished all square.
HOW WE LINED UP
Jack Wint started in goal, with Ezra Carrington, Kian Noble, Stephen Muni and Seb Naylor across the back four.
Charlie Gray played in front of the defence with Divine Mukasa and Alfie Harrison playing up ahead in the engine room.
In attack, Ashton Muir started to the right with Christian Dunbar-Mcdonald to the left of Dan Batty through the middle.
City U18s XI: Jack Wint, Ezra Carrington (Ryhs Thomas 64’), Kian Noble, Stef Muni, Seb Naylor, Divine Mukasa (Femi Fapetu 64’), Charlie Gray, Alfie Harrison, Ashton Muir, Dan Batty (Jaden Heskey 75’), Christian Dunbar-McDonald
Subs: Max Hudson, Reigan Heskey
West Brom U18s XI: Loius Brady, Archie Kirton, Deago Nelson (Corey Sears 75’), Kevin Mfuamba, Rhys Morrish, Jenson Sumnall, Adriel Walker, Cole Deeming (Souleyman Mandey 46’), Eseosa Sule (Chieck Kone 65’), Harry Whitwell (Dan Chimeziri 65’), OIiver Bostock (Divine Onyemachi 46’)
Subs: N/A
WHAT IT MEANS
The point means we have qualified for the knockout stages of the Under-18 Premier League Cup. City have picked up seven points out of nine in Group D, scoring eight goals in the process.
Everton and Peterborough, who are currently playing have three points apiece, and so can’t overhaul us.
WHAT’S NEXT
City’s Under 18s are back in Under-18 Premier League action next when we visit Liverpool.
Kick-off on Merseyside is scheduled for Saturday 2 December at 11:00 (UK).
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