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.
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.
The first of Eseosa Sule's brace against Blackburn. 🎯
The full highlights from our #PL2 fixture against Rovers can be watched in full here. 👇— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) December 1, 2024
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
