Kids graduate with top honours – boss
WEST Bromwich Albion chief Darren Moore has credited the “tremendous” work of the academy for the Carabao Cup win over Mansfield Town.
Jonathan Leko and Kyle Edwards scored their first goals for the club to send the Baggies into Thursday night’s third-round draw.
Nineteen-year-old Leko and Edwards, 20, were among five former academy players involved in the 2-1 defeat of the Stags on Tuesday night. And a sixth, 16-year-old Morgan Rogers, was an unused substitute.
“It shows the tremendous work that goes on here in the academy,” Moore said. “Right the way through there were academy graduates on the field and we had young Morgan on the bench.
“It wasn’t routine, but I was really pleased with having so many youngsters in the team. We showed really good spirit and moved the ball well in the first hour, dominating the game.
“Only scoring one you feel Mansfield could have a chance to get back in it.
“We allowed them to do that and build some momentum.
“But I’m really happy with the character and resilience the boys showed to go up the other end after being pegged back and score a fantastic goal.” Defender Kyle Howkins, 22, made his debut while fellow youth-team products Sam Field and Rekeem Harper also featured. “That game would have done them the world of good in terms of their development going forward,” Moore added. “Not just for the football club, but for the first team this season. The younger players tired a bit towards the end of the game, but I was really pleased at how we stuck at it.”
There was another positive for the Baggies gaffer in the shape of defender Craig Dawson, who made his first home appearance of the campaign against the Stags after missing almost of all pre-season amid constant transfer speculation.
The 28-year-old handed in a transfer request, after bids from Burnley and West Ham were rejected, but was unable to secure a move back to the Premier League.
Moore added: “It was a good outing for Craig to blow off the cobwebs.
“His general fitness is very, very good but we wanted to get some more match minutes into him.
“To get 72 minutes under would have done him good.
“We’re pleased to have him back.” his belt