Goals from Grimwade and Dako in the opening 20 minutes put us in control, and Grimwade added his second before the interval. However, a double from West Brom captain Harry French kept the hosts firmly in the contest.

In the second period, Dako completed his brace and Pennie made sure the three points would be coming back to Cobham when he netted in the 70th minute. West Brom did grab a third late on as French completed his hat-trick, but it proved only a small consolation for the hosts.

Setting the tempo

The Blues set the pace immediately in the West Midlands, moving the ball through the thirds well. We thought we had broken the deadlock just a few minutes into the game when Pennie found the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

It didn’t take long for the young Blues to go in front, though. In the 16th minute, Grimwade orchestrated an attack that saw him exchange passes with Isaac McGillvary and fired a finish into the bottom right corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Goals galore

Dako doubled our advantage three minutes later from a free kick won by Pennie: his long-range attempt was helped on its way via a big deflection to put Chelsea in the driving seat.

However, on the half-hour mark, West Brom halved the deficit from the penalty spot through French. There was still much work to do to ensure victory.

Grimwade put the Blues back in control before the break, with an inswinging corner that ended in the the back of the net at the near post. Unfortunately, French pulled a second goal back for the hosts moments before the half-time whistle was sounded.

Regaining control

The Blues started the second period well and, six minutes after the restart, we re-established a two-goal advantage for the third time in the contest.

Dako showed excellent attacking instincts to react quickest to a loose ball after Eden Perez’s strike was blocked, and he took a touch and rifled a finish beyond goalkeeper Maxwell Moses from 20 yards.

Pennie came close to making it five when he went through on goal, but his shot took a small nick and went out for a corner.

The Blues had a lot more success in the third final when we were patient in possession. The Blues fashioned another chance after we moved the ball from side-to-side for a prolonged spell before substitute Ibrahim Rabbaj was found on the edge of the box.

Rabbaj’s first touch took him onto his right foot, but his shot went just wide of the far post.

Pennie adds another

With 20 minutes remaining, Pennie finally got his goal after showing excellent composure when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The ball came over the top and through to the Blues forward, who drove towards goal from inside his own half with purpose before dispatching a finessed shot into the far corner. The goal was Pennie's ninth across all competitions for the Under-18s this season.

French completed his hat-trick for the hosts late on, but it was too little too late as Chelsea returned back to Cobham with all three points.

What this means

Victory for the Blues sends them the top of the Under-18 Premier League on 18 points. We have won our last four matches on the bounce in the competition and six of our eight matches total.

What comes next?

Chelsea Under-18s are back at Cobham on Saturday 24 October, when we face Ipswich in the Under-18 Premier League. The game gets underway at 12pm and supporters can watch the live match with a CFC+ subscription.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Toby Bell; Riley Ebho (Gabriel Sambou 62’), Dante Waite (C), Jacob Hall, Calvin Diakite (Isago Silva 80’); Isaac Badu, Jacob Dako (Kwamina Ampah 80’), Isaac McGillvary; Heze Grimwade (Ibrahim Rabbaj 62’), Andrew Pennie (Jayden Malundama 82’), Eden Perez
Unused subs: Antoni Miernik
Scorers: Grimwade 16, 45+2, Dako 19, 51, Pennie 70
Booked: Pennie 64’

Manager: Dan Hogan

West Bromwich Albion: Maxwell Moses; Tyrell Hutchinson, Dylan Nasibu, Shane Gompe, Joel Asomugha; Theo Jackson (Reuben Saa 62’), Umarr Sankoh (Danyal Iqbal 67’), Harry French (C), Remar McNeil (Frazer Billings 67’), Cole Dexter (Ethan Smith 60’), Justin Seven-Seven (James Bythell 60’)
Unused subs: Jago Davis, Archie Williams
Scorers: French 31, 45+4, 86
Booked: Jackson 17’

Manager: Chay Thompson