Cam Peupion scored a late equaliser as our men’s under-21s drew 2-2 with third-placed Liverpool in Monday’s Premier League 2 game on Merseyside.
The hosts had come back to lead 2-1 after Andrew Moran had put Albion in front early in the second half but a smartly-taken volley by Peupion earned us a deserved point. We lie seventh in the table after making it ten points from our last five league matches.
Albion started well and should have had a penalty in the third minute when Jamie Mullins went down in the box under a challenge by Lee Jonas, but the referee waved play on.
The first half settled into a cagey affair. Liverpool shaded possession but Albion were often a threat when they counter-attacked. Midway through the half a free kick broke to Jack Hinshelwood in the D but he dragged a right-foot shot wide and on 32 minutes Sammy Chouchane picked out Peupion on the right but his angled effort took a deflection and sent it wide.
Albion looked comfortable in possession and passed the ball well, but it needed a sharp save low to his right by Killian Cahill to keep out James McConnell’s powerful right-footed drive just before the break.
But Albion went in front with a fine team goal on 48 minutes. Luca Barrington controlled a clearance in central midfield and swept a pass out to Peupion on the right and his ball across the face of goal was turned in by Moran.
Their advantage lasted 11 minutes as Liverpool produced a spirited response. Ben Doak did well down the left and picked out Harvey Blair who turned and placed a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Liverpool now had the bit between their teeth and after Doak had gone close they went in front in the 76th minute when substitute Leighton Stewart beat Cahill with a deflected shot for his 12th goal of the season.
But Albion kept going. Substitute Josh Duffus had a couple of efforts before he made progress down the left and when his ball came into the six-yard box Peupion produced a smart half-volley to equalise from close range with five minutes to go.
It needed an excellent challenge by defender Billy Koumtio to deny Duffus as Albion sought a late winner, but head coach Shannon Ruth will still be happy with a point.
Albion: Cahill, Packham, Samuels, McConville (Shann 82), Kavanagh, Chouchane, Hinshelwood, Peupion, Moran (Hinchy 76), Mullins (Baker-Boaitey 82), Barrington (Duffus 69).
Sub not used: Talley.