Report: West Bromwich Albion U18s 3-0 Iron U18s

The Iron Under-18s bowed out at the third-round stage away at last season’s FA Youth Cup semi-finalists but could certainly be proud of the way they battled at the Hawthorns, against a home side who went 2-0 up very early on.

West Brom, who have comfortably defeated Liverpool and Manchester United recently, attacked down the right side of the area straight at the start, with a cross sent in which Tom Collins had to punch away, low down at his near post.

After a period of early pressure, they took the lead as Rico Richards seized on a loose ball and drove forward into the area before powering a left-footed strike low, across and beyond the dive of Collins.

With nine minutes gone, there was a great save from Collins at his right near post as Tom Fellows found space down the right side of the area to get a powerful low shot in.

The resulting corner was sent in from the right, with Jovan Malcolm glancing a header into the left corner of the net from 12 yards.

Soon after, there was another effort for the hosts, as they drove down the right wing and sent a low cross in, which was back-heeled wide of goal from the centre of the six-yard box by Malcolm.

Then, on 14 minutes, Malcolm received the ball on the edge of the area before firing over the crossbar.

Soon after, Scunthorpe won a free-kick on the edge of the box which Cameron Wilson flighted in looking for Barks, but the assistant referee’s flag was up.

The away side started to enjoy more possession and a well-worked move on 20 minutes culminated in Raynner Silva playing the ball to Joey Dawson in the centre, just outside the box, who spread it out wide on the right to Wilson, whose effort was just off target.

West Brom came close again on 29 minutes as Alex Gilbert turned in the area and fired just wide of Collins' bottom right-hand post.

There was then a great save by Collins at his near post, parrying away for a corner, as Fellows threatened. A cross was put in from the resulting corner, with a header hitting the crossbar and bouncing off it for another corner.

Two further right-wing corners were put in, which the Iron cleared for further corners, before the woodwork got rattled again as a Baggies player connected with the ball from close range.

Then, at the other end, Harry Jessop got in down the right and tried to get a cross in from the byline, in the 18 yard box, but the hosts averted the danger.

On 35 minutes, getting on the end of a right-wing cross by Ethan Ingram, Alex Gilbert headed over the crossbar for the hosts from 12 yards.

A minute later, after a good move from the right, involving Wilson, Jessop and Dawson, Luca Chadli tried to get a shot away from the centre, just outside the area, but it was blocked.

Jamie Andrews then sent a free-kick in from the right for the hosts, which was connected with by a home player, but the ball bounced back into play off the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

Early in the second-half, Silva took a corner from the left and found Jessop at the back post, whose strike was deflected over the crossbar. Silva took the second corner from the left again, and Dawson and Barks tried to connect but it was gathered by the goalie.

The 62nd minute saw a great tackle by Aidan Train on the left to thwart a Baggies attack and send the ball out for a corner. The ball was then sent in from the right and Malcolm connected to head in his second of the game from close range.

With 64 minutes gone, Jessop was slipped through and put the ball into the back of the net but the flag was up for offside.

On 75 minutes, Dawson played a good pass to Jessop, who attacked down the left of the box. He crossed to substitute Levi Gallimore but it hit a Baggies player before it got to him, forcing the home goalkeeper into a quick reactionary stop.

Ten minutes before the end, Silva received the ball in the centre of the opposition half and played it to Chadli on the left of the box, who fired off target.

The hosts attacked down the right side of the area late, with a shot from Fellows eventually hitting the side netting. It proved the last chance of note in the game.

IRON: Collins, Baker, Train (Kemp, 63), Silva, Barks, Lobley, Wilson (L Gallimore, 68), D Gallimore, Jessop, Dawson (Wilkinson, 81), Chadli.

IRON SUBS NOT USED: Balme, Virgo.