Match Reports

Albion cruise into Premier League Cup semi-finals

Albion now one game away from the final after thrashing Southampton.

By Charlie Hanson • 31 March 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Evan Ferguson netted twice against Saints.

Albion reached the semi-finals of the Under-17s Premier League Cup with a 6-1 win over Southampton.

Mark Beard's team had reached the quarter-finals after winning all three of their group stage matches against Millwall, West Ham and Crystal Palace, and had enjoyed six wins in their last seven outings in all competitions.

Samy Chouchane put Albion in front from the penalty spot when he fired into the bottom right corner, before Marcus Ifill intercepted a pass from the Saints goalkeeper and teed up Evan Ferguson for a tap-in.

The pair combined again to extend the visitors' advantage with Ifill making a superb run to the by-line before his pinpoint cross to the far post was nodded in by his fellow forward.

By Paul Hazlewood
Marcus Ifill was the provider for both of Evan Ferguson's strikes.

Albion didn’t let up in the second half and, after initially being denied from the edge of the box, Jaami Qureshi found himself through on goal and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

Andy Moran added his name to the scoresheet with what will probably be his easiest goal of the campaign. A ball into the box was only half-cleared into his path eight yards out, and he made no mistake as he hammered home a low first-time effort.

Albion rounded off the scoring in superb fashion when Qureshi got down the left before picking out Bailey Smith who emphatically headed into the top right corner at the far post.

Beard and his squad now eagerly await the semi-final draw.

The line-up: Bull, Nilsson, Jackson, Offiah, Sturge, Qureshi, Collyer (Hinshelwood 45), Chouchane, Moran, Ifill (Smith 75), Ferguson (Duffus 63).