Trialists Feature as Blues U23s Defeated By West Brom
Thursday, 25th Jan 2018 22:38

Town’s U23s - featuring two trialists, keeper Kleton Perntreou and midfielder Mohammed Sagaf - were beaten 2-1 by West Brom at St George’s Park in the Premier League Cup this evening, Shane McLoughlin (pictured) netting the Blues’ goal.

Perntreou, 23, is currently with Welling United, who he joined earlier in the season, and has made two Vanarama National League South appearances having previously been with Crystal Palace.

The 6ft 3in tall keeper spent two years with the Eagles without breaking into their first team, having signed from Hibernian, with whom he played two senior games between 2013 and 2015.

Perntreou was born in Tirana, Albania and moved to Greece aged five. He relocated to England in 2012 when he won a place in Bristol City’s academy after a trial.

Sagaf, a 20-year-old attacking midfielder with Waltham Forest, previously came on as a sub in the U23s’ 3-0 victory over QPR and played most of Monday’s 2-0 loss to Sheffield United.

West Brom took the lead on the half hour via Alex Bradley’s superb strike, then doubled their lead via Rekeem Harper’s deflected effort three minutes before the break. McLoughlin tapped in Town’s reply in the 74th minute.

New Blues defender Chris Goteni made his first appearance in a Town shirt and impressed, as did Idris El Mizouni, a half-time sub for Sagaf, while striker Ben Folami put in a strong display.

Gerard Nash's young Blues improved in the second half after a disappointing first period.

The game was played on the Sir Bobby Charlton Pitch, the England national side’s main training pitch and was watched by a crowd of only 56.

U23s: Perntreou, D Crowe, Clements, Sagaf (El Mizouni 46), Webber, Goteni, McKendry (Lankester 85), McLoughlin, Folami, Morris, Ndaba (Patterson 37). Unused: Marshall, Hayes.

WBA: Palmer, Meredith, Howkins, Jameson (Ferguson 56), Fitzwater, Melbourne, Harper, Bradley, Azaz (Brown 83), Morton, Leko (Clayton-Phillips 29). Unused: Ben Pierce, Evan Pierce.

Thanks to Alasdair Ross

Photo: TWTD

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