Match Reports

Ifill at the double as under-18s win again

Albion made it three successive wins in the Premier League South Division after beating West Ham.

By Charlie Hanson • 01 March 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Marcus Ifill's double was more than enough to see off West Ham.

Albion moved up to third after they defeated West Ham 2-0 on Saturday.

February proved to be an excellent month for Mark Beard’s team who won all three of their league fixtures, scoring 12 goals.

A tough West Ham side weren't in the mood to allow Albion any space up front and it was only the introduction of Marcus Ifill shortly after the restart that turned the tables in the visitors' favour.

Just two minutes into his appearance Ifill made his mark. A move starting with goalkeeper Toby Bull continued when Toby Collyer found Ifill in space behind the Hammers defence and he calmly found the bottom left corner in the 56th minute.

By Paul Hazlewood
Ifill's introduction after the break proved to be an inspired decision.

Victory was sealed in stoppage time when Bull sent a goal kick downfield, Zak Emmerson flicked it on and Ifill once again got in behind before producing a powerful shot into the top right corner.

Having beaten Southampton and Arsenal in recent weeks, the result moves Albion to within five points of top of the table Fulham.

Coach Beard said, “West Ham made it very tough for us in the first half, we just couldn't break them down. Marcus Ifill injected that bit of pace that we needed and made an impact on the game.

“We're on a good run and it was a great way to round off the month.”

Albion are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to face sixth-placed Chelsea.