Emmerson hat-trick sees off Birmingham

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Under-18s came from behind twice to open campaign with 3-2 win at Birmingham.

Charlie Hanson

2021-08-17T05:00:00Z

Zak Emmerson started the new season in fine fashion.

A 90th-minute Zak Emmerson strike saw Albion under-18s complete a stunning come-from-behind victory at Birmingham City on Saturday.

George Hall gave the Blues an early lead when he was played in by Kieran Wakefield and slotted into the bottom left corner from 12 yards.

It took until just after the hour mark for Albion to respond when Zak Emmerson got on the end of a Jake Gee pass to calmly roll home.

Birmingham were quick to restore their lead though as Wakefield struck the post from Hall’s cut back, but Rico Patterson followed it up, hammering an effort past Albion keeper Hugo Fisher.

The drama continued as Emmerson grabbed his second of the game in the 88th minute, expertly firing in from Elliot Jenks’ free-kick, and the former Oldham Athletic striker wasn’t done there.

Zak Sturge and Marcus Ifill set off down the left on a blistering counter-attack, with the former’s cross taking a touch off the latter in the Birmingham box. It fell for Emmerson who fired in at the back post to complete the turnaround and his opening day hat-trick.

Professional development phase coach James Baxter said, “It’s fantastic to start the season like that, it’s a new group but you could see the team spirit and the work ethic coming together. That can’t be proved better than the fact we were 2-1 down in the 87th minute and won the game. It’s great for team morale.

“The boys showed their commitment with the runs into the box for the winner – they covered ground in some incredible times to get there.

“It’s not all about the result at this level, but I am proud of how they played well. They deserved the win.”