Albion's Under-18s moved to within two points of top spot in the Premier League South after they made it five consecutive victories with a 3-0 defeat of Leicester City.
Wins over Southampton, Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea had propelled Albion to within touching distance of top two Crystal Palace and Fulham, but the win over Leicester means that both south London sides can’t afford any slip ups as the season enters its final stages.
Albion opened the scoring just before half-time when Matt Everitt's excellent defence-splitting pass found the run of Marcus Ifill, who was brought down for a penalty.
Everitt calmly dispatched from 12 yards down the middle, as Leicester keeper Arlo Doherty dived to his right.
Despite Albion’s dominance and City going down to ten men after the dismissal of Ethan Fitzhugh, it wasn't until the 87th minute when they got their second. Andy Moran was at first denied, but after Doherty had kept out a follow up effort, Moran was there to slot home from close range.
Ifill was then involved in his second goal of the afternoon, this time swinging in a delightful cross from the left to pick out Moran on the edge of the six yard box, who volleyed home emphatically for his second goal in as many minutes.
Under-18s coach Mark Beard said, “We’re delighted with the run of form we’re on and what is pleasing is the victories have been thoroughly deserved.
“We dominated the game against Leicester and the play in the build-up to our goals showed real quality.
“We’re seeing Marcus Ifill take his game to another level since we moved him to a forward position – he has good movement and his pace is frightening. He is still adapting to the change and we need to do some work on his timing and composure when he gets through one-against-one, but we’re delighted with how well he has taken to his new role.
“The players are in a really good place and it’s our job as coaches to keep that momentum going by not letting them take their foot off the pedal. It is quite easy to get complacent in football, but I will keep reminding them it’s the hard work that has put them in this position.”