Our men's under-18s made it four wins in a row when they beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Amex Elite Football Performance Centre.
The victory confirms a seventh place finish in Premier League South, with the season coming to a close next week at Norwich City.
Villa were caught trying to play out from the back with Aiden West winning the ball on the edge of the box and finding Callum Mackley, who slotted into the bottom right corner after 20 minutes.
Albion doubled their advantage five minutes before the break and West was the provider again as he crossed following a swift attack down the right, with Joe Belmont calmly slotting in.
Inigo Calderon’s team appeared to be out of sight with an hour gone when Charlie Penman nodded in from close range from Harry Howell’s corner, but Villa responded.
Charlie Pavey pulled one back with 75 minutes gone to give the visitors hope, before Luka Lynch’s 90th-minute goal could have proved the springboard for a late snatch and grab, but Albion held on.
Calderon said, “It was a good performance overall, especially the first 60 minutes, they were excellent. We played with a high tempo and were good in possession.
“It was a young team too; we had three under-16s and just one second year.
“The only thing to improve was the last 30 minutes. After we scored the third goal to go 3-0 up, we relaxed a little bit and I am not happy with that because we conceded silly goals.
“You cannot think it is too easy, so we have to learn. But overall I am happy with the boys.”