U18 Report | Crystal Palace 1-3 Albion

Harry French celebrating a goal in the home kit

Albion's youngsters secured a terrific 3-1 triumph at table-topping Crystal Palace on Saturday. 

Chay Thompson's side scored as early as the third minute when Ryan Colesby fired in from the edge of the box after being found by Harry French. 

The Baggies' trialist goalkeeper made an outstanding save to keep the score at 1-0 before going on to suffer a knee injury which forced him off. Midfielder Charlie Blackshields took on the role of stopper with no replacement on the bench, and thwarted a dangerous Palace effort ahead of the interval to maintain the visitors' lead.

French doubled Albion's advantage in the early part of the second period, striking across goal with his left foot.

It was 3-0 on the hour. George Shaw delivered a teasing cross and forward Adam Okorodudu nodded beyond the Eagles goalkeeper to put the away team into a commanding lead.

The hosts had a player dismissed five minutes after the third goal, but did notch a consolation with the final kick of the game. 

ALBION: Trialist (Gompe 22'), Abudu, Perkins, Shaw (Jackson 83'), Round (Asomugha 64'), Blackshields, Colesby, Maughan, McNeil (Dexter 64'), French (Iqbal 75'), Okorodudu.