Albion Under-18s picked up their second U18 Premier League South victory on the bounce as they produced a valiant showing to beat Aston Villa on Saturday.
Chay Thompson’s youngsters came out of the traps with plenty of energy, and got their reward for some intense pressing early on. Danyal Iqbal was the beneficiary of it, as he picked off a loose pass out from the Villa defence to steer into an empty net from the edge of the box for his second strike in as many matches.
And the hosts could well have added to their lead. James Bythell had two further opportunities before the halfway mark, but couldn’t make the most of them to extend the Baggies’ advantage.
They continued in the same vein after the break; Harry French sent a promising chance over the bar after a neat move but he would soon play a part in extending the hosts’ lead moments later.
Remar McNeil swung a free-kick in, which was flicked on by the young forward, leaving Ethan Smith to hammer home an Albion second.
But even a late Reuben Saa red card couldn’t stop the young Baggies from keeping a clean sheet and sealing another promising victory - leaving them on seven points from the first five matches.
Albion: Rutter; Hutchinson, Perkins, Saa, Round; McNeil, Iqbal, Sankoh, Billings (Dexter 63’), Bythell (Smith 63’); French (Williams 90+2’).
Substitutes: Trialist (GK), Nasibu, Bastafield, Saeed.
