An Ashley Clarke brace saw the under-18s claim an FA Youth Cup third-round victory over category one West Bromwich Albion.

Both goals at The Hawthorns came in the opening 45-minute period before a closely fought second half.

Victory sees the Cherries progress to the fourth round of the prestigious academy competition.

Despite the Bournemouth win, it was the hosts that had the game’s first big chance around the 15-minute mark as Harry Whitwell tested Noah Crisp from inside the box.

West Brom’s attack-minded midfielder met a cutback in the 18-yard area and stung the palms of the Cherries stopper, who was able to hold.

James Lowy’s side’s first chance came midway through the half as Remy Rees-Dottin and Karlos Gregory both threatened in quick succession.

The former hammered at goal following a corner before the rebound came to the latter and he also saw his powerful low shot deflected away.

Jonny Stuttle was next to threaten, looking for the top right corner from 25 yards but only finding the gloves of Ben Cisse.

A quick counterattack then afforded the Baggies the next chance but Eseosa Sule’s angle was always closing as he raced toward goal before a tame effort was collected by Crisp.

The breakthrough was finally made shortly before the half-time break, with some delightful passing play seeing Clarke set in on goal before beating Cisse and finding the top left corner of the Baggies goal.

Things were made even better for the Cherries in injury time when Clarke doubled his and the team’s tally.

A long ball forward beat the Baggies defence and the young attacker was quickest to race onto it before bearing down on goal and coolly sliding his shot in.

Going into the break with the two-goal lead, West Brom were a whisker away from pulling one back early in the second half.

Attacking in numbers, Oliver Bostock forced room for himself to shoot from a tight angle but the effort came back off the crossbar and bounced clear.

Just past the hour mark, Clarke had an excellent chance to secure his hat-trick after a sublime through pass from Rees-Dottin.

The forward raced forward to goal again, but unlike his successful first two attempts, his strike beat the far post as well as the goalkeeper.

A cagey spell in the game followed, with the Cherries defence able to frustrate the Baggies and stifle any efforts to mount a comeback.  

Lowy’s team restricted the home side to such a degree that Clarke’s double went without reply, meaning the Cherries secured a clean sheet and a spot in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

West Bromwich Albion: Cisse, Kirton, Nelson, Mfumba, Sumnall, Mandey, Walker, Deeming, Sule, Whitwell, Bostock.

Subs: Brady (GK), Morrish, Sears, Quinn, Onyemachi, Chimeziri, Kone.

AFC Bournemouth: Crisp (GK), Holman, Morgan, Gregory, William, Eagle, Salmon, Osborne, Stuttle, Clarke, Rees-Dottin.

Subs: Allan (GK), Carroll, Williams, Kasukumya, Whitehead, Day, Sills.