West Bromwich Albion head coach Darren Moore made a number of changes on Tuesday evening as we faced Mansfield Town in EFL Cup action.
Job done 💪🏼
Academy graduates Jon Leko and Kyle Edwards grab their first senior goals as Darren Moore's men book their spot in Round Three of the @Carabao_Cup.#WBAMAN pic.twitter.com/kXAIJvHNHf
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 28, 2018
Hosting the League Two side at The Hawthorns for the second round affair, fans in attendance weren’t exactly treated to a spectacle but with the changes on offer, there were some positives that we should take from the game, namely the performance of the youngsters on display.
Jonathan Leko and Kyle Edwards scored their first senior West Brom goals as we took our place in the third round with a 2-1 victory, but credit to Mansfield they more than made a game of it and it was a frantic end as they gave everything in search of a second leveller but we held out.
It wasn’t what fans wanted given the differences in the pyramid levels, but given results elsewhere we avoided a banana skin and that’s sometimes all you can ask in the early rounds of Cup competitions.
They were far better than us
— grantham chatterley (@grannie1234) August 28, 2018
That was really hard win boys need to buck hower hi dear up if we are ever going to win evening thing
— Michael Farmer (@baggieboyfarmer) August 28, 2018
well done lads and well done boaz myhill for keeping us in it,into the hat we go for the 3rd round till next time UP THE BAGGIES
— kevin horton (@hortonkevin) August 28, 2018
Never make it easy for ourselves
— Big Gucci Ðaη ???? (@Daaaannnn_) August 28, 2018
People moaning after the game last night on here… 5 academy players featuring plus Burke & Tosin makes it at least 7 kids last night. Got the job done. What were people expecting? It might not have been the best performance but it should be a proud evening. #wba
— Adam. K. (@A_Kemo26) August 29, 2018
It’s so refreshing to see the kids getting some game time albeit in the Carabao Cup, Leko and Edwards look to have bright futures ahead of them, here’s hoping they get a first team opportunity and that #wba don’t let more young talent slip through the net
— Matthew Fleet (@MAF79) August 29, 2018
If the kids have the confidence, give them the freedom.! Too much over coaching these days. Natural talent isn't taught. If the kids, and I must say if we can keep them the future looks fantastic, want to and can and have the ability and confidence to show boat, let themdoit!
— Martin Foster (@Baggieman9) August 29, 2018
Well done boys, great stuff ????⚪️⚽️⚽️????
— Carl Burkitt (@baggyboy1878) August 28, 2018
With recent signing Tyrone Mears making his debut at right-back, we also welcomed back Craig Dawson for his first appearance of the season and when it comes to his future after a summer of discontent we’ll have to see what happens before the loan deadline on Friday, but him at least being willing to get back on the pitch might count for something.
