Albion Under-18s made it three games unbeaten with victory over Southampton on Tuesday afternoon.
The Baggies took an early lead when Trialist B threaded a neat pass into the feet of Matt Crowther, who spun to create space inside the penalty area and slotted a composed shot into the far corner to give the hosts a lead after 23 minutes.
Chay Thompson’s youngsters, who showed no signs of rust having beaten West Ham United just three days earlier, were able to double their advantage on the stroke of half-time. They did so from the penalty spot after Alfie Maughan was brought down inside the box, forward Cole Dexter showed his coolness from 12 yards to slot home a second.
The hosts asserted further control in the second period, as they stayed firm in their defensive structure to keep themselves at arm’s length from the young Saints.
Southampton did score just minutes from time, though, midfielder George Kift smashed a delightful effort beyond the trialist goalkeeper for a late consolation.
But it wasn’t to stop the Baggies holding out for all three points, as they continued a positive run in U18 PL South, jumping up two league places in the process. They now sit fourth in the division with just four to play.
Albion: Trialist A (GK); Asomugha, Perkins, Trialist B (Abudu 61’); Maughan, Blackshields (Gompe 86’), Crowther, Round (Letlat 86’); Colesby, Dexter (Seven-Seven 73’), Sankoh (Bastafield 61’).
