Albion Under-21s produced late heroics to beat Blackburn Rovers in their Premier League 2 match at Damson Park on Monday evening.
The Baggies took an early lead through captain Muhamed Diomande, but the visitors bagged two first half efforts, leaving late strikes from Hindolo Mustapha and Harry Whitwell to settle the tie.
The competitive opening exchanges would provide a flavour of what to expect throughout. Mustapha blazed over, before Blackburn’s Igor Tyjon picked the pocket of Kevin Mfuamba, leaving him to pass the ball just centimetres wide of the target - all within the first five minutes in Solihull.
Leigh Downing’s young pros soon took the initiative, as Alfie Maughan registered yet another assist in his positive personal campaign, as he planted a pin-point corner onto the head of Diomande, who rose highest to nod home the opening strike.
The visitors responded well, winger Aodhan Doherty hit the post, leaving Augustus Kargbo the simplest of tap-ins - but he placed his shot just wide.
Rovers equalised moments later, Joe Boggan tried his luck from range with a strike that kissed the post on the way past young goalkeeper Maxwell Moses.
And the visitors soon made it two. The ball fell to Doherty on the edge of the box, he curled past Moses and into the top corner.
As the second half began, Abdul Abudu did exceptionally well to deny a Blackburn third with a perfectly-timed last-ditch tackle, while Harry Whitwell stung the gloves of visiting goalkeeper Adam Khan.
But the Baggies would have the final say on Monday’s match, as Mustapha smashed a powerful effort into the roof of the Rovers’ net to begin the late surge of strikes.
Whitwell showed his composure to bag the winner, touching down a deflected cross and passing beyond Khan to ensure three precious PL2 points - their first league victory of 2026.
Albion: Moses; Williams (Nelson 68’), Abudu, Diomande, Maughan; Mfuamba, Colesby (Mandey 60’), Whitwell; Mustapha, Sule, McNeil (Ntege 86’).
Substitutes: Ranger, Blackshields.
