Our men's under-21s notched their most convincing win of the season so far, beating Everton 4-0 at Southport’s Big Help Stadium.
After riding out an early spell of pressure from the Toffees, Shannon Ruth’s side scored either side of the interval, Samy Chouchane and Jamie Mullins taking advantage of Everton mistakes. As Albion grew more comfortable, Mark O’Mahony notched two more.
Ruth had named a side that was much changed from the first two Premier League 2 fixtures of the season. Jacob Slater, signed this summer from Preston, made his first start, as did Noel Atom, who had appeared as a substitute in the 3-2 victory away to Chelsea a week ago.
Albion struggled to settle early on and when goalkeeper Killian Cahill handled a back pass after eight minutes, he atoned for his error by saving a fierce shot by Jensen Metcalfe following the resulting indirect free kick taken by Francis Okoronkwo.
Everton rained in a series of crosses from both wings but the Albion defence stood firm, although it was not until the 24th minute that the attack fashioned a chance, O’Mahony shooting wide from a pass by Benicio Baker-Boaitey.
The home side continued to have the better of things, but Albion got their reward for their stubborn defending with the opening goal after 40 minutes. Everton goalkeeper Jack Barrett’s poor clearance was pounced on by Chouchane and he drilled his shot into the net.
And it was another Everton error that handed Albion their second six minutes into the second half. Bradley Moonan’s attempted pass back to Barrett fell short and Mullins was onto it to score.
That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Everton and Noel Atom might have made it 3-0 but headed wide from a corner kick. But with Albion looking increasingly in control, O’Mahony rounded off a neat move to make it 3-0, and the Irish striker scored his second nine minutes from time, prodding the ball in as Everton failed to clear another corner.
Albion: Cahill; Nilsson, Kavanagh, Atom (Jackson 61), Slater; Hinchy, (Hinshelwood 45) Chouchane; Baker-Boaitey (Barrington 62), Duffus (Peart 70), Mullins; O’Mahony.
Subs not used: Reid.