Bromsgrove Sporting 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Ranger 66')

A Donte Ranger goal proved the difference between Bromsgrove Sporting and West Bromwich Albion's U21s at the UK Electrical Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The substitute found the net with a looping header in the 66th minute, with Sporting unable to find a goal in reply.

Albion's Ollie Bostock put a third minute wide from a promising position before Bromsgrove's Luke Benbow struck a left footed effort over the bar three minutes later.

The 17th minute saw Baggies' Akeel Higgins hit the side netting from inside the area - one of the more significant chances of a first half that, despite being competitive, was lacking on clear cut opportunities.

Three minutes into the second half, Benbow had a fine strike from range that looked destined for the bottom corner until the glove of keeper Joe Wallis blocked it away.

The 63rd minute saw Torin Ntege get in on goal, but his shot was straight at Sporting stopper Charlie McNamara.

Ranger's goal came three minutes later - he leapt highest in the area to convert with a header of real quality.

Ranger almost doubled his tally a minute later, but his effort trickled narrowly wide.

Up the other end, the 72nd minute saw Sporting have another big chance, with a pinpoint Jack Kelly cross meeting the head of Benbow - unfortunately for him, Wallis was equal to it once again, this time with an impressive save onto the crossbar.

Sporting's Kobe Hall put a decent opportunity from inside the box over the bar with a little under 10 minutes remaining, whilst Miller McDonald struck wide with a curled effort in the 87th minute.

Report: Max Banner