New Bucks Head Ground

Monday 19th February 2024 - 19:00
Wolves
- Days
- Hrs
- Mins
- Secs
3
v
0
WBA
Key Events

A photo of Albion U21s boss Richard Beale handing out instructions at the club's training ground

Professional Development Phase boss Richard Beale says his U21s are keen to produce a response to recent defeats when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night (ko 7pm).

The young Baggies will play their Black Country counterparts at AFC Telford’s New Bucks Head Stadium, but after losing their last two matches against Reading and Derby County, the club’s young pros are targeting a return to winning ways in the best possible way.

Academy chief Beale is excited to see how his team will approach the derby and believes the decision-making of his attackers will be pivotal to claiming a scalp over their local rivals in Shropshire.

A photo of young Albion forward Layton Love
Richard Beale is calling for his attacking players to make the difference. Photo Credit | GEvans Photography

“The core skills and getting basics right in every single game is important," said Beale.

“They’re never a given with young players, who often show inconsistency, but we’re always working with them with - what we call the brilliant basics - to build consistency and become better as individuals.

“Mainly, it’a about individuals and those individuals chipping away at the areas they need to improve and they’ve got another opportunity to do that, in what will be a great game and absolutely it’ll be nice to play a derby game against Wolves.

“We need to show the same levels of commitment they boys have shown for large parts of this season.

A photo of U21s boss Richard Beale giving instructions from the dugout
Richard Beale in the dugout during Albion's last PL2 match v Derby. Photo Credit | GEvans Photography

“It wasn’t just what I saw with my eyes, despite defeat on Monday - the numbers back up that the boys showed great commitment in the last match. The effort and running was fantastic and I can’t ask any more of them on that front.

“What we can do more of is improve what we can do with the ball in the final third. We were a bit short on that, which was disappointing, but I know the lads will be keen to put that right against Wolves.

“We’ll keep working away at being as good as we can be and we’re looking forward to this game on Monday.”

Ollie Bostock in action for Albion's PL2 team against Wolves at New Bucks Head

Albion’s youngsters suffered a 3-0 defeat in the Premier League 2 Black Country derby on Monday night.

Leon Chiwome’s brace and a header from Alfie Pond after the interval did the damage for the hosts at AFC Telford United’s New Bucks Head ground.

Layton Love in action for Albion's PL2 team against Wolves
Image Credit | GEvans Photography

The Baggies made a strong start and could've gone ahead when Layton Love fired at goal from just inside the area, however, Wolves goalkeeper Jimmy Storer made an impressive save to deny the forward.

Fenton Heard also came close to scoring from close range, but he too was unable to break the deadlock. 

At the other end, Ben Cisse made two fine stops to deny Chiwome from the right side of the box and then Ty Barnett from a free-kick.

Deago Nelson on the ball for Albion's PL2 team against Wolves
Image Credit | GEvans Photography

The hosts stepped up a gear in the second 45 and took the lead when Chiwome pounced from only a few yards out after meeting Marvin Kaleta's low cross on 52 minutes.

Josh Shaw came mightily close to equalising with an incredible strike soon after, but his effort crashed back off the post.

Unfortunately for Richard Beale's boys, they fell 2-0 behind in the middle of the second half. Alfie Pond directed a glancing header beyond the reach of Cisse, with Albion appeals for offside waved away by the officials.

Chiwome got his second and Wolves' third just moments after. The striker made a dart in behind the Baggies back line and fired across Cisse into the far corner to put the result beyond doubt.

ALBION: Cisse, Williams, Hall (C), Shaw, Nelson, Mfuamba (Richards 78), Whitwell, Heard, Higgins (Sule 75), Love, Bostock.

Unused subs: Brady, Deeming, Mandey.