Friendly against the Albion

Although beaten by the better side in this friendly, the scoreline was somewhat hard on City after a resolute display.

With five players out and two trialists in the team, the visitors gave a battling performance – particularly in the first two quarters – typified by the efforts of Matt Athey and Harry Stone in central midfield and stand-in right-back Tom Parry.

With a little more luck on their side, City could easily have been two goals up early in the game after Alex Fenn skimmed the bar with a clearance from inside his own half and when their forwards pressurised a back pass but just couldn’t get to the loose ball.

WBA Academy Development took the lead shortly afterwards and gradually began to dominate – doubling their lead in the second quarter.

With five subs compared to City’s one, the hosts were able to rotate as their opponents tired and they capitalised on several lapses to the full with some incisive passing and movement by adding to their goal tally in the third and fourth periods.

A good run-out nevertheless against a very well-organised JPL side.