A Sammy Okoka double helped Albion Under-18s return to winning ways in emphatic fashion after a comprehensive away victory over Reading on Saturday afternoon.
The young Baggies raced into a 4-0 lead at the interval thanks to goals from Reyes Cleary, Tim Iroegbunam, Okoka and Tom Fellows.
Okoka netted his brace six minutes into the second half, and Imari Williams’ strike came only as a consolation for the home side as Albion’s strong display earned them a third win of the season.
Peter Gilbert's side went into their clash against the Royals off the back of a 5-0 home defeat against Norwich City.
But the youngsters made sure they were on the right side of five goals this week as paces attacker Cleary netted the opener after just seven minutes.
14 minutes passed before Albion took full control of the game with a clinical spell just before the interval.
Iroegbunam struck a second for the Baggies, before Okoka and Fellows netted in the space of three minutes to put Gilbert’s side in a commanding position ahead of the second half
Okoka showed similar attacking intent that fellow attacker Cleary did at the beginning of the second 45, scoring just six minutes after the whistle had gone to round off the scoring for Albion’s youngsters in Berkshire.
Royals defender Samuels netted a response for the hosts, but the Baggies ensured their lead wasn’t threatened as victory moved them up to 9th in the U18 Premier League standings.
Albion host West Ham in their next fixture on February 6.
Albion: Emery, Ingram, Taylor (Dwyer 60), Grant, Ashworth; Fellows, Iroegbunam (Lamb 60), Teixeira, Da Sousa; Cleary; Okoka (Shepherd 60).
Substitutes: Boruc.
