Albion Under-18s exited the FA Youth Cup following a 6-0 defeat in the quarter-finals to current holders Manchester City at The Hawthorns on Thursday night.
A Finley Gorman hat-trick, along with efforts from Matthew Warhurst, Stephen Mfuni and Reigan Heskey helped the star-studded City youth side cruise into the last four of the tournament.
A tough first 45 for the hosts saw them head in 3-0 down at the break.
Warhurst bundled in after a shot had come back off the post for the opener, centre-back Mfuni nodded in a deep set play at the back stick, before Gorman guided a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner from outside of the box to give the visitors a comfortable lead.
The Baggies tried to apply some pressure after the restart with Noah Dupont, substitute Harry French and Divine Onyemachi all having attempts at goal.
Sadly, the Cityzens soon rediscovered their rhythm when Gorman curled in his second of the game, picking out the top left corner in fine fashion and, before too long, Heskey got himself on the scoresheet courtesy of some penetrating play down the left wing - cutting into the box to power in his team's fifth.
Gorman would have the final say on proceedings - lashing in a sixth off the underside of the crossbar on his trusty left foot with the game entering stoppage time.
Ultimately, there was nothing Leigh Downing's 18s could do to stop a rampant City on the night but, regardless, there was pride to be taken away from a first run to the Youth Cup quarter-finals since 2021.
Albion: Brady, Maughan, Morrish (c), Dupont, Letlat (G.Shaw 87), Blackshields (Cherchi 87), Iddrisa, Colesby (French 46), Parmar (Bostock 69), Onyemachi, Okorodudu (Ranger 69).
Substitutes: Moses, Abudu.
Attendance: 670
