The Hawthorns

Monday 16th December 2024 -  19:00
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Reading
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Key Events

A photo of Albion academy product Ollie Bostock arriving at The Hawthorns

Albion’s young pros will be looking to recapture that winning feeling when they host Reading under the lights on Monday night (ko 7pm). 

The Under-21s triumphed 4-2 against Stratford Town in the Birmingham Senior Cup last Tuesday, but as far as Premier League youth competitions go, their last victory came versus Fleetwood Town in the PL Cup in November. 

A league win is long overdue, and something Richard Beale’s men will be targeting at the Baggies’ first-team stadium. 

A photo of Albion academy product Ollie Bostock
Ollie Bostock in action at The Hawthorns

Last time out 

Blackburn Rovers prevented the Baggies’ academy products claiming three points in their last PL2 match, as the game ended 2-2 in Lancashire.

Eseosa Sule netted a brace to turn the game around heading into the second half, but Albion couldn’t hold on, and the points were shared at Rovers’ Academy hub. 

Venue

The Hawthorns will be the location for the 21s’ league match on Monday evening. 

It provides another exciting opportunity for the club’s youngsters to play on the same turf as the first team, in the hope they can create some special memories to carry forward in their career.

A photo of one of The Hawthorns' floodlights
The U21 will play their last PL2 match of 2024 in B71 on Monday night

Pre-match thoughts 

Ollie Bostock enters this next PL2 match day on cloud nine following his influential performance for Albion U18s in the FA Youth Cup.

The exciting winger netted a fine individual goal, won a penalty, and played an important part in helping the Baggies’ young guns beat Harrogate Town to progress in the tournament earlier this week. 

It was just another story to add to the collection of special experiences the 17-year-old has enjoyed this term; starting out with pre-season in Carlos Corberán’s first team, making his bow for Wales’ U19 side - as well as scoring for them against European heavyweights France - while not forgetting his consistent football under Beale in the professional development phase programme.

He’ll be hoping to feature again under the 21s boss on Monday evening, and with just the three goal contributions (two assists, one goal) to his name in PL youth competitions this term, Ollie’s eyes are set on adding to that tally against the Royals. 

A photo of Albion academy product Ollie Bostock in action at The Hawthorns
Bostock is aiming for more goal contributions

“Perfecting my performance is the most important thing,” said Bostock.

“As long as I keep playing well, everything will work out and goals and assists will come. 

“It’s not always just about numbers. It’s about what you show on the pitch and I think if you watch me, I show there’s much more to my game than just those contributions, but they are obviously something I’d like more of. 

“My game has come on a lot and I'm challenging myself by doing different things in games to try and become as ready for first-team football as possible, while also sticking to my strengths.

"I think a win would be nice on Monday, for all of the boys. 

"Winning games is something we need to start doing more and the only way to do that is by turning good performances into results to get ourselves up the table.”

A photo of Albion academy product Ollie Bostock in action at The Hawthorns
Bostock scored during his last match at The Hawthorns v Swansea City

How to follow 

Match tickets will be available for Monday night’s Premier League 2 game versus Reading. 

They are priced at £5 adults, and £1 for Under-17s and 65+, while Albion season ticket holders are able to watch the game for free. 

Supporters can purchase tickets on the gate on the Halfords Lane side of the stadium.

Owing to the game clashing with a Premier League match on Monday, December 16, we will be unable to provide a live stream of the match. 

Fans can keep up-to-date with the PL2 game from The Hawthorns across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.

Cole Deeming in action for Albion's PL2 team at The Hawthorns in the home kit

Albion's PL2 side earned a 3-1 victory over Reading in their final match of 2024 on Monday evening. 

Alex Williams and Ollie Bostock powered in efforts to hand the hosts a healthy lead, but that lead was halved before the break when Charlie Wellens smashed home a super strike from outside the box.

Matthew Crowther restored the two-goal advantage inside the opening 15 minutes of the second half with the Baggies going on to see out the remainder of the encounter at The Hawthorns in confident fashion.

Ollie Bostock on the ball during a PL2 game at The Hawthorns in the home kit
Ollie Bostock impressed on Monday night

Richard Beale’s boys made a quick start and could have gone ahead inside the opening 40 seconds when Eseosa Sule squeezed behind a defender to reach a Josh Shaw pass. Unfortunately for the striker, Reading stopper Harrison Rhone made a very smart save.

He could do nothing about Williams’ effort 15 minutes later though. Harry Whitwell broke through the middle, laid the ball to the right side of the box to the winger who fired it between Rhone’s legs.

The visitors responded positively though and had three chances to equalise. Tyler Sackey, Jeremiah Okine-Peiers and Emmanuel Osho all went close, but not close enough.

Ten minutes before the interval it was 2-0. Sule found Bostock in space on the left of the area and the Wales youth international belted the ball into the far bottom corner. 

Moments later though, the Royals pulled on back. Midfielder Wellens took aim from the best part of 30 yards and watched his strike fly past Ben Cisse.

Eseosa Sule in action for Albion's PL2 side at The Hawthorns in the home kit
Eseosa Sule in action against the Royals

The Baggies didn't have to wait too long to restore their two-goal buffer. Just ten minutes had passed in the second period when Sule tried his luck from the edge of the box. His fierce drive cannoned back off the foot of the near post, into the path of Crowther. Albion's number four composed himself, looked up and calmly stroked the ball into the middle of the net with Rhone out of position. 

Sule could've made it 4-1 with 20 minutes remaining when a cross from the right found it's way through to the striker at the back post. His volley was heading in, however Rhone dived to his left to thwart the Scot. 

At the other end, Reading were restricted to a flurry of crosses which didn't really trouble Albion. Jack Senga did try his luck from range, but Cisse made a comfortable save.

Substitute Dan Chimeziri also had two opportunities to register a goal in the final seconds, but his low attempt from just inside the box was well saved by the Royals keeper, while his ambitious shot from 40 yards narrowly missed the target. 

ALBION: Cisse, Nelson, Hall ©, Parker, Shaw (Humphries 83), Crowther, Deeming (Dupont 76), Williams, Whitwell, Bostock (Trialist 76), Sule (Chimeziri 76).

Subs: Wallis (GK).

 

Catch the WBA TV footage from Monday night's PL2 victory below.