Albion Under-21s were defeated by Man United in PL2 action on Monday evening.
Leigh Downing’s side were downed by visiting strikes from Shea Lacey (3), Louie Bradbury and a Brian Okonkwo own goal after Souleyman Mandey scored the opener inside four minutes.
The Baggies made a quick-fire start at Damson Park, as Dan Chimeziri, making his first start since August, raced beyond the visiting defence before playing in Mandey – who calmly swept home the slick attacking move after just four minutes.
United’s Lacey would soon put his stamp on proceedings eight minutes later, though, with Jack Fletcher finding him lurking at the back post - leaving the winger the simple task of tapping home for the equaliser. The 18-year-old made it a brace moments later from the penalty spot, having been brought down by Abdul Abudu for the spot-kick.
Midfielder Mandey almost equalised just before the break, but usual service resumed for the young Red Devils after the restart, as Lacey scored his third with a wicked left-footed shot which crept under Okonkwo.
United added a fourth as Jayce Fitzgerald’s corner was deflected in by Okonkwo, before substitute Bradley tapped in for a visiting fifth, and even a late Fitzgerald red card couldn’t prevent a United victory.
Albion: Okonkwo; Williams (c), Abudu, Diomande, Trialist, Nelson; Mfuamba, Blackshields (Colesby 64’); Mandey, Bostock (Parmar 76’), Chimeziri (Francis-Caesar 64’).
Substitutes: Cisse, DuPont.
Red card: Fitzgerald 89' (Man Utd)
