Harry French's hat-trick wasn't enough to prevent Albion Under-18s falling to defeat against Chelsea at The FitLife Foods Performance Centre on Saturday afternoon.
An entertaining first 45 played out between the Baggies and Blues, and the former could've taken the lead early doors when Remar McNeil went racing through. Sadly, his effort was saved by the visiting goalkeeper - giving his team the platform to take a 2-0 lead.
The goals were scored in the 16th and 19th minute through Hezekiah Grimwade and Jacob Dako respectively, but there was a good reaction from Chay Thompson's team to this setback.
Forward French capitalised on a positive spell when he won and converted a spot-kick on 32 minutes, but Chelsea regained their two-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time - Grimwade grabbing his brace.
Still, the hosts' in-form forward wasn't willing to go in at the break without reducing the deficit again - smashing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to leave the scores at 3-2 heading into the second period.
Sadly, a strong display after the restart took the game away from Thompson's team, as Dako completed his brace of goals prior to Andrew Pennie making it 5-2.
French wrapped up his hat-trick with four minutes to play, applying a similar finish to his second goal - this time on his stronger right foot, finding the bottom-left corner with a precise effort.
Midfielder Danyal Iqbal had an opportunity to create a nervy finish during the closing stages, but the home side couldn't force another goal through despite a battling display against one of the country's most progressive academies.
Albion's scholars are next in action this weekend when they travel to Southampton on Saturday, October 24 (ko 12pm).
Albion: Moses, Hutchinson, Asomugha, Jackson (Saa 46'), Nasibu, Sankoh (Iqbal 66'), Gompe, French, Dexter (Smith 59'), McNeil (Billings 66'), Seven-Seven (Bythell 59').
Substitutes: Davis (GK), Williams.
