Match report: Arsenal U-18s 1-2 West Brom

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WHAT HAPPENED

We failed to make it three wins in a row on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion at London Colney.

Dan Micciche handed Timi Henry-Davies his competitive debut at this level, while Luigi Gaspar started for the first time this season.

We had the game's first meaningful opportunity, Mauro Bandeira hitting the post with a thumping strike from 25 yards out.

We then found the woodwork for the second time in the half, Jimi Gower's effort inside the box tipped on to the post by Ronnie Hollingshead.

The visitors struck first against the run of play, springing a counter-attack and Archie Oliver crossing from the right for Fenton Heard to tap in unmarked at the back post.

Micciche replaced Gaspar for Matheus Roberts at the break, but the change could barely take effect before West Brom doubled their lead, Layton Love poking home from close range after a driven pass across the box.

We pulled one back through Billy Vigar, our striker latching on to a through ball from Roberts and making no mistake in front of goal to register just his second goal of an injury-plagued season.

Ismail Oulad M’Hand came off the bench to make his debut for Micciche's side, as we came so close to an equaliser, Tino Quamina squaring for Roberts, but our midfielder's strike was kept out only by the block of Narel Phillips.

The visitors held firm under our late pressure to inflict a sixth league defeat of the season on us.