West Brom youngsters exit FA Youth Cup in penalty shootout heartbreak after thrilling fightback in Sunderland
It was dramatic penalty shootout heartbreak for Albion under-18s as they crashed out of the FA Youth Cup to Sunderland despite a remarkable fightback.
The young Baggies' journey ended at the fourth round at Sunderland's Eppleton Colliery Ground on Thursday night as the nine-man Black Cats prevailed 4-3 on penalties.
Chay Thompson's Albion side produced a stunning late show to finally fight back from an early 2-0 deficit in thrilling scenes in the north east.
But Ryan Colesby and Remar McNeil saw their penalties saved by Joe Cowan in the shootout.
Sunderland raced into a two-goal advantage through goals in the first half by Finn Geragusian and James Barker, who capitalised to punish errors from Dauda Iddrisa and Noah DuPont respectively.
Exciting attacker Rio Parmar (pictured), 18, hauled the Baggies back into the tie from the penalty spot on 90 minutes after substitute Jaiden Francis-Caesar was felled and Albion then made a lengthy period of stoppage time count.
There were scenes of big celebration as another Baggies substitute forward Justin Seven-Seven, 16, rounded goalkeeper Cowan eight minutes into time added on to force extra time.
Cowan had earlier been busy to deny a number of Albion efforts, particularly after the home side had skipper Finlay Holcroft dismissed for two yellow cards early in the second period.
There would be more drama in extra time as Albion were forced to fight back again. The hosts' Triziano Wilson turned in after a Baggies trialist substitute goalkeeper - on for Maxwell Moses - could only parry an effort.
A thrilling contest swung both ways and the visitors' McNeil was brought down after skilful work which saw Geragusian sent off for a second caution and Parmar once again kept his cool from the spot.
Parmar scored his third penalty of the night from the shootout while skipper Alfie Maughan and Seven-Seven also converted efforts from 12 yards but keeper Cowan came out on top with saves from Colesby and McNeil.
Sunderland will face Brighton in the fifth round with no repeat of last season's run to the quarter-final for the Baggies hopefuls.
Albion: Moses (Trialist, 68), Maughan, DuPont, Perkins, Iddrisa (McNeil, 46), Letlat (Round, 84), Colesby, Blackshields (Gompe, 119), Parmar, French (Seven-Seven, 84), Okorodudu (Francis-Caesar, 46).
