Albion Under-18s produced a stellar display to see off Stoke City 2-0 in their FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie at the bet365 Stadium.
First-half goals from Donte-German Ranger and Divine Onyemachi proved to be enough to help Leigh Downing’s side progress in the competition - with their opponents also seeing red on Tuesday night following Jaden Dixon’s second-half dismissal.
It couldn’t have gone much better for the 18s during the first 45, who entered the half-time interval two goals to the good.
Albion took control from the off and nearly opened the scoring when Ollie Bostock drilled a low shot just past the post. It wouldn’t affect the swing of proceedings, though, as the visitors found a deserved goal when Ranger tapped in from Alfie Maughan’s right-wing cross.
The full-back was given the opportunity to cross courtesy of Noah Dupont’s excellent long ball forwards, but Downing’s charges had to hang in at times - Laurence Giani hitting the crossbar from a free-kick, while goalkeeper Louis Brady was required to keep out Elliot Fearn’s attempt.
Sadly, the Potters couldn’t capitalise on their moments - something the Baggies did before the half-time whistle.
Cole Deeming and Matt Crowther both had efforts saved by home keeper Michel Zeitzen, but he could do nothing to stop substitute Onyemachi, who remained patient and watched Bostock’s cross in from the left carefully before slamming in a second goal.
The second half was far quieter in comparison to the opening period.
There was some drama when Stoke defender Dixon prevented Onyemachi from having an attempt on goal - tugging on his shirt and earning himself a straight red.
It helped the visitors better manage the remaining stages, with Bostock coming closest to a third - seeing a deflected effort fly just over the bar.
Still, it didn't take any gloss off a fine performance in Staffordshire as the young Baggies secured their spot in the fifth round of the Youth Cup, where they'll play either Norwich or AFC Bournemouth away depending on the outcome of their fixture on Wednesday night.
Albion: Brady, Maughan, Morrish, Dupont, Letlat, Iddrisa (Okorodudu 67), Deeming (c), Crowther, Parmar (Blackshields 89), Ranger (Onyemachi 33), Bostock.
Substitutes: Moses, Abudu, Cherchi, Francis-Caesar.
