Albion Under-21s will play their first competitive game of the 2025/26 campaign when they travel to fifth-tier Forest Green Rovers in their opening National League Cup match on Wednesday evening (ko 7pm).
The young Baggies entered the competition for the first time last term - gaining invaluable experiences against senior professionals - and more opportunities to encounter more of the same lie ahead this season.
Albion will go up against Rovers, Wealdstone, Braintree and Boreham Wood in Group B, but first they travel to Gloucestershire to take on Robbie Savage’s National League outfit.
Last time out
The club’s academy hopefuls were unable to advance beyond the group stages last term.
Defeats against Ebbsfleet United (p), Dagenham & Redbridge, Braintree and Sutton United (p) provided learning curves for many young Albion prospects, but more importantly, match minutes against seasoned pros.
Venue
The Bolt New Lawn stadium will host the Baggies’ young hopefuls on Wednesday night.
Now under the guidance of former Premier League midfielder Savage, Forest Green came close to returning to the English Football League during the last campaign but fell short in the National League play-offs - losing 4-2 on penalties to Southend United in the semi-finals.
Rovers started the 25/26 season with a 2-2 draw away at Albion U21s' main venue for matches at Solihull Moors, with Wednesday night’s clash against Albion’s youngsters their first competitive match on home soil.
Pre-match thoughts
Michael Parker sees this midweek clash in Gloucestershire as an ideal opportunity to get him closer to the senior game.
Having signed for the club last term on a one-year deal, plenty of emphasis was on the towering left-sided defender to prove his worth to the Baggies’ academy staff - something the 20-year-old did with aplomb.
Able to play in the heart of defence or at left-back, Michael exhibited his strengths in one-on-one situations and going forward with a lightning turn of pace - things which caught the eye of Albion’s senior staff last season.
This attention meant Parker was named on the bench twice in the Sky Bet Championship, and another chance to test himself against National League opposition is just the test the defender wants to kick off the campaign on Wednesday evening.
Parker said: “These games are really beneficial.
"They give us a real taste of what men’s football is like and they are very different to matches we usually play in which is important to learn more about the game.
“Last season, all the NL Cup clashes were very competitive. We learnt a lot from every match and used those experiences back in our games programmes with the other U21 teams.
“I’m sure Wednesday will be a tough night. They were close to promotion to the EFL last year, so it will be a tough test for us but I’m very excited to get going after the summer.
“Last season was really rewarding. I signed a one-year deal with the aim to impress and sign a new, long-term contract and I was really happy to sign a two-year extension in the summer.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity the club gave me and I’m aiming to make the most of it this year.
“Men’s football is the aim for me now, whether that’s here with the first team or out on loan, I want to prove myself in the men’s game to develop myself even further.
“Pre-season was productive for getting minutes back in the legs and getting fit, but we all play football to win so playing our first competitive game is really exciting and, hopefully, we are able to kick off the season positively.”
How to follow
Wednesday’s opening National League Cup group match between the Baggies and Forest Green Rovers will be streamed live from the Bolt New Lawn stadium.
Supporters will need a YouTube account to watch along, with the feed available from 15 minutes before kick-off (6.45pm) here.
Click on the ‘live’ section and select Albion’s fixture to view. Updates will also be posted across the club’s social media channels throughout the match.
