Youngsters cling on for victory in a cup thriller

WEST Bromwich Albion’s Under-18 side sealed their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup thanks to a thrilling 4-3 win over AFC Bournemouth.

- BY SAM ALLEN

West Brom U18s boss Chay Thompson

Ryan Colesby, Adam Okorodudu, Harry French and Adam Letlat were all on target for Chay Thompson's side on a wet and windy Wednesday night at The Hawthorns.

The Cherries fought back from 4-0 down in the second period and scored three times to set up a very nervy finish, but the club’s scholars managed to hang on and book a trip to Sunderland in the early part of 2026.

It was a tough ending to the game for Chay Thompson’s side, but the U18 boss was pleased nonetheless with how his team came out to build a big lead before they were forced to grind out the victory in the closing stages and withstand the visitors’ fightback.