Albion Under-18s play their first match of the 2024/25 FA Youth Cup versus Harrogate Town on Thursday night (ko 7pm).
Boss Leigh Downing’s team enter the competition at the third-round stage looking to build on their recent good league form - which has seen them go four unbeaten at the end of 2024 - and reach the fourth round of the tournament.
Venue
The Baggies’ young guns will play at their opponents’ first-team ground - the Exercise Stadium - on Thursday evening.
Opponents
It will be a tough ask to advance, though, with Harrogate Town on a great run heading into the game.
So far, they have advanced through the first two rounds with flying colours - defeating Guiseley AFC 2-0 before an impressive 3-1 triumph over Birmingham City in the last round set up this week’s tie against the Baggies.
Town’s youngsters are learning under the guidance of former Derby, Ipswich and Chelsea forward Kevin Wilson. He made over 600 professional appearances during his playing days and represented Northern Ireland at international level.
His managerial career started at Northampton Town, and following numerous spells at various non-league sides, Wilson took up the position of Academy Lead Professional Development Phase Coach at Harrogate in the summer of 2024.
Pre-match thoughts
Wilson’s opposite number at Albion, Leigh Downing, is hoping his young squad can use their league momentum to advance beyond the third-round stage of the Youth Cup.
AFC Bournemouth quelled their progress last season, with Nottingham Forest doing the damage the year before, but Downing, who has coached in a variety of capacities at the club for over 15 years, is eager to break the mould in the competition by leading his side to a fighting, resilient performance under the lights in North Yorkshire.
He said: “We know it’s going to be a really tough game and the lads have to be in the right place mentally, and have the right attitude going into it.
“The boys have played really well over the last month or so, beating Tottenham and drawing to Palace, Norwich and Reading in the league.
“The lads have been unlucky not to have picked up more points than what we have done, but coming into a big game such as the FA Youth Cup, it would be nice to take that form to Harrogate in the hope that we can progress to the fourth round.
“On these big occasions, there’s more eyes than normal that are watching and if the lads put in a good performance then that can open up so many more avenues for them.
“If we can turn up, and the players who’ve been playing well continue that form, then hopefully we’ll have enough to get through the tie.”
Ticket details
Tickets are available for Albion’s third-round FA Youth Cup tie against Harrogate at the Exercise Stadium.
They are priced at Adults £4, Over-65s £3, U18s £2, and U11s just £1.
Only the Duchy Hospital Stand will be open on the night, with no segregation and unreserved seating for those wishing to attend.
Supporters are reminded there will be no in-person ticket sales on the day of the game, but online purchases will still be available right up until kick-off on Thursday, December 12.
To buy tickets for the Baggies’ Youth Cup clash, please click here.
How to follow
There will be live updates across our social media channels for Thursday night’s FA Youth Cup match against Town.
The full report, reaction and highlights from the match will be available on the website following the full-time whistle.
