A resilient second-half effort saw a depleted Sunderland team hold Albion’s PL2 side to a 3-3 draw at the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground on Monday night.
It was a strong first-half showing from the young Baggies, who led 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Jamie Andrews, Reyes Cleary and Mo Faal.
Michael Spellman’s dismissal at the end of the first 45 meant Richard Beale’s men had a numerical advantage heading into the second half, but three goals in the space of six minutes took the visitors by surprise and despite the hosts receiving a second red card, they held on to earn a point.
Although it was a disappointing finish to proceedings in the North East, Albion’s youngsters dominated the first half and barring one wayward strike across goal from the Black Cats, the away side took the game to their opponents.
Rico Richards was felled in the box after just four minutes, prompting a penalty to be awarded to Beale’s men.
Captain Andrews converted and the goals didn’t stop there with Reyes Cleary racing onto a perfect Richards through ball to slot in a second, before forward Faal’s powerful effort off the post meant the Baggies led 3-0 after 20 minutes.
Spellman’s wild lunge on Zac Ashworth resulted in him receiving his marching orders moments before the interval. But despite being at a disadvantage heading in at the break, Sunderland took the game away from the Baggies during the second 45.
Max Thompson netted a brace in the space of a couple of minutes to give the home side the initiative, and a penalty three minutes later meant the scores were level again after Caden Kelly converted from the spot.
Ethan Kachosa’s dismissal for a second bookable offence gave Albion further cause to pile on the pressure and dictate the latter stages in search of a winning goal.
Two goal-bound headers from towering striker Faal were saved by keeper Jacob Carney and the shot-stopper’s fingertips denied substitute Jovan Malcolm from stealing the points in the dying embers, as the Baggies left Sunderland with just a point.
Albion: Hollingshead; Ingram, Nguepissi (Malcolm), Trialist, Ashworth; Andrews ©, Whitwell, R.Richards (Mitchell); Fellows, Faal, Cleary.
Substitutes: Hudd, Shaw, Mfuamba.
