Town U21s suffered an entertaining but disappointing 4-3 defeat to ten-man West Brom at the Alexander Stadium to bow out of the Premier League Cup in their final match of the year.
Goals from Jack Lorentzen-Jones, Harry Fox and a late header from Vladimir Paternoster couldn’t topple West Brom’s powerful counter-attacking side as Souleyman Mandey’s brace and strikes from defender Deago Nelson and Michael Parker sealed the points for the hosts.
With five goals, a penalty and a red card in the opening 45 minutes, entertainment was on full display in Birmingham, with West Brom striking an early opener as Nelson skipped his way through the Hatters defence before cooly finishing past Charlie Booth.
It wasn’t long before the Hatters found a leveller as Fox converted a powerful penalty following a foul from Nelson on Dylan Stitt, though another fine move from the hosts allowed Mandey to fire in his first of the afternoon and make it 2-1.
West Brom would strike a third just before the half hour mark, and once again the goal came through an intense transition, with Parker breaking from a Town corner to beat two defenders before finally chipping a lovely finish over Booth.
Just as it started to look like it would be a difficult evening for the Hatters, a miscommunication between the West Brom defence and goalkeeper Brian Oknokwo allowed Stitt to touch around the shot-stopper who then fouled the midfielder and received a red card for his efforts.
It did not take long for the Town to make their man-advantage count, with Stitt breaking down the left side before finding Fox who could force his way into the box before cutting in on his right-foot to lash home another goal and bring the score back to 3-2 just before half-time.
Late into the second half, Mandey broke down the side of the Hatters with great pace and power before firing a low effort past Booth at a tight angle to once again double West Brom’s lead.
A late header from Paternoster following a cross from the right hand side by Stitt could only dent the score-line, with the hosts hanging on to secure the three points and top Group E.
TOWN: Booth (sub Coyne 90+1), Paternoster, Kwame Anson (sub Shepherd 61), Evans, Ioannides, Lorentzen-Jones, Fox, Benagr (sub Isufi 35), Trustram (sub Gawel 75), Stitt, Odegah
Subs not used: Barnes
Report by: Liam Wilmot
