Match Reports

Albion share the spoils with the Foxes

Under-23s pick up a point on the road in Premier League 2.

By Alex Stedman • 24 February 2021

By Plumb Images
Teddy Jenks looks for a way through the Leicester defence.

Albion's under-23s battled back from a goal down to seal a deserved point away from home against Leicester City in a 1-1 draw on Monday.

Kasey McAteer had fired the home side into the lead, but Albion levelled when Ayo Tanimowo's cross was turned into his own net by Harvey Godsmark-Ford ten minutes from time.

Albion had two good early chances to go ahead. Evan Ferguson saw a fierce effort tipped wide by Chituru Odunze before Marc Leonard saw his shot deflected over the bar.

By Plumb Images
Danny Cashman tries to win back possession for Albion.

Despite that bright start it was the Foxes who took the lead after 28 minutes as McAteer headed home after Carl Rushworth had denied Harry McKirdy.

Ferguson and Jensen Weir were next to try their luck but were denied by Odunze, who kept the home side's lead intact at the interval.

Albion's search for an equaliser continued after the break as Teddy Jenks saw his effort blocked by defender Danny Simpson and Jack Spong rose highest to meet James Furlong's cross only to be denied by Odunze once more.

Jack Wakely was brought down in the area as Albion were handed a golden chance to get back on level terms from the penalty spot, but Weir fired over the bar from 12 yards.

But the visitors were rewarded for their perseverance with ten minutes left when Godsmark-Ford diverted the ball into his own net after a good delivery from Tanimowo.

Danny Cashman then laid the ball on for Weir to fire wide in the dying moments and there was still time for Jenks to be denied by the home keeper once more when his shot from Romaric Yapi's cross was stopped by Odunze.

By Plumb Images
Shannon Ruth and Andrew Crofts are in interim charge of the Albion Under-23s.

Joint interim coach Andrew Crofts said, “We were slightly disappointed in the end and we felt like we were a bit unlucky to not come away with more from the game.

“We got into some good areas and deserved the equaliser and we had chances to win the match too.

“We were ruthless against West Ham but didn't quite reach those levels against Leicester, but the lads stuck at it until the end, and it was a good result away from home.”

Fellow interim coach Shannon Ruth added, “The mood in the group is good at the moment and that showed again with the performance.

“The players have kept up good standards every day, that can sometimes drop off when you don't have a match for a few weeks, and we've had some postponements recently.

“But their attitude and focus have been brilliant, and they've trained well despite not having as many games as we would have liked recently.”

Albion are next in action on Friday when they host Manchester City in Premier League 2 at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, kick-off 2pm.