ALBION’s under-23s were defeated 4-0 by a clinical Norwich City side in their Premier League 2 Division Two match at the Palm Training Ground.
The young Baggies started brightly and went close when Callum Morton was sent through on goal only to see his effort saved by Canaries goalkeeper John McCracken.
Nick Clayton-Phillips then had a free-kick saved before Norwich took the lead on 19 minutes as Adam Idah squeezed his shot over the line despite Alex Palmer’s best efforts.
On the half-hour mark the away side earned a penalty when Ant Spyrou was brought down by Palmer inside the area, and Idah stepped up to slot away from 12-yards and grab his second of the game.
Clayton-Phillips went close to getting Jamie Smith’s men back in it when he headed wide from inside the area, but it was Norwich who got the third goal of the match through Spyrou seven minutes before the break.
After half time Finn Azaz and Nathan Ferguson both had efforts saved and Morton hit the crossbar as the Baggies looked to reduce the scoreline.
A quick counter attack saw Norwich notch their fourth, though, with Idah getting his hat-trick in the process.
Albion pushed hard to find a consolation late on and were unfortunate not to get at least one goal as Clayton-Phillips had a free-kick deflected onto the crossbar and Morton hit the post with a powerful shot.
ALBION: Palmer, Meredith, Ferguson, Healy, Harmon; Soule (Rogers 76), Azaz, Wilding, Brown (Tulloch 62), Clayton-Phillips; Morton.
Substitutes: House, Dyce, Trialist.