ALBION’s under-18s were defeated 5-3 by Sunderland despite a hat-trick from Rayhaan Tulloch.
It was Tulloch who handed the Baggies an early lead, though they were immediately pegged back thanks to Benji Kimpioka’s 27th minute strike.
Just before the break Jake Hackett put Sunderland in front, and Kimpioka then grabbed another with 55 minutes on the clock.
Tulloch scored his and Albion’s second of the afternoon just after the hour mark, but Jacob Young and Kimpioka put The Black Cats into a commanding lead.
In stoppage time Tulloch completed his hat-trick by notching the Baggies’ third and final goal, but it was Sunderland who took the three points.
ALBION: Przybek, White, Martinez, Healy, Harmon; Wilding, Hall; Holsgrove (Ojebode 45), Tulloch, McCourt (Wakeling 70); Soule.
Substitutes: Cann, Gilbert, Thorndike.