Albion Under-21s secured their first win in the Premier League Cup group stages following an impressive 5-1 triumph over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night.
Goals from Deago Nelson, Michael Parker, Noah DuPont, Charlie Blackshields and Jaiden Francis-Caesar helped Leigh Downing's men record a maiden victory in Group E.
The Hatters fielded a strong team under the lights, with four senior players in from the off. Still, it was the visitors who dictated proceedings during the first 45.
Full-back Nelson capitalised on that good start - cutting in from the right flank to meet a loose ball outside the box and providing an arrowed finish into the bottom corner to break the deadlock within 20 minutes.
Chances continued to fall Albion’s way courtesy of their strong approach and pressing; McDonald curling a couple wide, skipper Evan Humphries finding Town ‘keeper Lucas Thomas in the way, before Souleyman Mandey had the most presentable opportunity.
Space was afforded to the Austrian outside of the area - a theme throughout the night - and although his eventual curling effort beat Thomas in the home goal, it came back off the post.
It proved a costly miss, too, with Luton going on to level when first-team forward Brown evaded the attentions of Humphries at the back post to meet a deep cross, head low past Joe Wallis, and restore parity in the contest heading into the second period.
Despite suffering a sickening blow after a dominant early showing, Downing’s men maintained a high level of performance to earn their just rewards.
Although a speculative early strike from range forced Wallis into action - and a smart save - it was one-way traffic for the young Baggies, who regained their lead within 10 minutes when Parker rose highest to meet a left-wing cross and force the ball home.
Two was soon three when another cross caused havoc and an almighty scramble in the box, but defender DuPont was on his toes to poke the loose ball into the bottom corner to add some much-needed breathing space to the visitors’ lead.
There was time for more, too, with susbstitute pair Blackshields and Francis-Caesar finding the net.
The first, a left-footed beauty from the midfielder beyond the shot-stopper's reach, before the striker rounded off the contest with a great header to make it five and seal a big win over the Hatters.
Albion: Wallis, DuPont, Mohammed, Humphries (c), Nelson, Crowther, Mfuamba, Parker (Maughan 87), Mandey (Blackshields 79), McDonald (Francis-Caesar 64), Ntege (Okorodudu 87).
Substitutes: Brady.
