Albion Under-18s were made to settle for a point from their clash with West Ham United at their Walsall HQ on Saturday afternoon.
Despite going down to Airidas Golambeckis’ close-range finish, the young Baggies turned the game around thanks to goals from Charlie Blackshields and Dan Chimeziri.
Unfortunately, they were unable to clear a low cross into the area in the last 15 minutes, allowing Hammers academy product Gabriel Caliste to capitalise and secure a share of the points for the visitors.
Lead U18 coach Leigh Downing will have no doubt felt the goals his team conceded were avoidable, as the away team from the capital found joy within 27 minutes - pouncing on the remains of a free-kick which they eventually scrambled in via Golambeckis on the goal line.
But Albion pressed well during the encounter and their increased presence in the match showed when Alfie Maughan’s corner kick was diverted in by first-year scholar Blackshields - his first of the campaign.
Despite their improvements, a penalty was awarded against the Baggies in the second minute of added time at the end of the first 45, despite protests from the hosts who claimed the foul had been committed outside of the area.
Nevertheless, Caliste stepped up to take but found shot-stopper Louis Brady in the way, who dived brilliantly to keep out the effort right in the corner.
Downing’s team took full advantage of the Republic of Ireland youth international’s penalty stop during the second 45, with Chimeziri adding to his tally for the campaign by guiding a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box on 59 minutes.
In the ascendancy for the first time on the day, Albion maintained their advantage for the proceeding 18 minutes but couldn’t prevent Caliste from levelling matters and finally grabbing his goal.
After missing a first-half spot-kick, the forward was on-hand to poke in a cross from the left which evaded the whole home defence to make it 2-2.
The Baggies pushed for a third and decisive goal through Sam Beedie, Ollie Bostock and Rhys Morrish during the closing stages, but they couldn't find the back of the net and as a result, had to settle for a point.
Albion: Brady (GK), Maughan, Dupont, Morrish, Crowther, Sears (Letat 65), Blackshields, Parmar, Onyemachi (Beedie 65), Okorodudu (Bostock 58), Chimeziri.
