Two first-half goals for Albion proved enough for our under-21s to overcome West Brom in Premier League 2 on Friday night.
Head coach Shannon Ruth had called on his team ahead of kick-off not to let up with plenty still to play for and they obliged.
They looked impressive in the first half and their good start was rewarded after 14 minutes. Leigh Kavanagh’s pass found Louis Flower who played a one-two with Jamie Mullins, with the Irishman’s return pass playing the striker in on goal. The former Chelsea man showed his composure to roll the ball into the bottom-right corner from just inside the box.
The Baggies responded promptly though. Eseosa Sule ran in on goal, looked to take it round Steven Hall but was caught by the keeper who was making his Premier League 2 debut. Jovan Malcolm made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick as he fired straight down the middle.
Jacob Slater’s header was easily gathered by West Brom keeper Bradley Foster, but the visiting number one could do little to stop Albion restoring their lead after half an hour. Bailey Smith wrestled for possession and won it, with Mullins taking over, chopping past Aaron Harper-Bailey and calmly slotting home.
Hall was kept busy at the other end when he sprung to his left to tip Akeel Higgins’s effort behind, with Foster denying Flower at the other end just after the restart with a near carbon copy save after good work from Leigh Kavanagh.
Alex Williams then got in behind the Albion defence but Hall came to Albion's rescue to keep out the defender's low effort with just under 20 minutes to play.
With both teams looking for a decisive goal, Caylan Vickers ventured down the left before playing a one-two with Luca Barrington, but he scuffed his finish sending it wide from six yards.
The 2-1 victory moves Albion up to sixth in Premier League 2. West Ham are our next opponents at home next Friday (March 15).
Albion: Hall, McConville, Kavanagh (sub: Jackson 79), Atom, Smith (Peart 69), Knight, Doyle, Slater, Mullins (Barrington 69), Vickers, Flower (Ifill 84).
Unused subs: Fisher, Peart, Barrington, Jackson, Ifill.