U21 Report: West Brom 1-1 Saints

After an even first half, West Brom went ahead through Harry Whitwell’s strike straight after half time.

But, a calm and composed Saints performance followed as they controlled much of the second half, drawing level through Muhamed Diomande’s own goal 15 minutes from time.

It proved to be a scrappy opening 10 minutes as both sides looked to gain control at The Hawthorns.

The first real opening of the game came for Saints in the 12th minute when Derrick Abu raced in behind the West Brom backline and fired a fierce effort into the side-netting.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw then cut in off the right wing in the next attack and took aim from the edge of the penalty area, but his shot proved comfortable for home goalkeeper Ben Cisse to hold onto.

Romeo Akachukwu in action at The Hawthorns. (Photos: Adam Fradgley/West Brom)

West Brom almost found their own way through when Whitwell controlled and looked to shoot on the spin, but an excellent block from Jayden Moore prevented him from getting his effort on target.

Simon Rusk’s visitors were looking composed though, and their next chance saw them go closer still to breaking the deadlock; a deep corner to the back post found Will Armitage, whose towering header dropped narrowly wide.

Adli Mohamed had been quiet for much of the first half but was forced into action when he palmed Eseosa Sule's near post shot wide.

Shortly before half time, Mohamed was again on hand when he used his body brilliantly to stop opposing striker Sule turning home after a corner wasn't cleared.

Saints had the final opportunity of the half as Baylee Dipepa was unlucky to see his flick flash wide of the far post on his first start.

Unfortunately for Saints, it was West Brom who went ahead straight after the restart in fortuitous fashion as Whitwell charged down Mohamed’s clearance before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Simon Rusk's side were controlling the play in the second period, but it was the hosts who looked to be a threat on the break.

Saints defended well when called upon.

Sule went close to adding a second on two occasions, with one shot deflected onto the roof of the net and another that flew narrowly over.

However, Saints got their reward and found an equaliser on 74 minutes, as Armitage headed a set-piece back into a good area that caused Diomande to slice the ball into his own net.

It was almost 2-1 shortly after when some more excellent build up saw Jay Robinson put a dangerous cross in that was not cleared, before Amo-Ameyaw saw his close-range strike well smothered by Cisse.

Despite being in the ascendancy, Saints had to stay alert Mohamed did just that by tipping over Deago Nelson’s long-range shot that looked destined for the far corner.

Late chances came and went for both sides, including a heroic clearance off the line to deny West Brom's Fenton Heard, as Saints went home with a well-deserved point.

Next up for the youngsters is the start of the National League Cup on Tuesday 1st October, with a trip to Wealdstone FC with kick off at Grosvenor Vale set for 7pm.

West Brom: Cisse, Nelson, Shaw, Dauda (Hall 60), Diomande, Richards (c), Heard, Deeming, Sule, Whitwell (Walker 74), Higgins (Parker 46).

Subs not used: Wallis, Bostock.

Yellow cards: Sule, Whitwell, Diomande, Richards.

Goals: Whitwell 46.

Saints: Mohamed, Abu, Lett (Reeves 46), Armitage (c), Moore, Buck. Amo-Ameyaw (Merry 85), Akachukwu, Dipepa (Ehibhatiomhan 69), Charles (Rohart-Brown 69), Robinson.

Subs not used: Myers.

Goals: Diomande (OG) 74.

Yellow cards: Lett, Robinson.