West Brom under-21s Juventus notebook: Downing's birthday present, Bray coolness, midfield strength and Rio's reward

First win relief

Happy birthday Leigh Downing! The eye-catching success over the Italians was head coach Downing's first victory in his eighth attempt since being confirmed as Richard Beale's successor.

The head coach - a long-term backroom member of the youth set-up - turned 37 on Thursday and had that first victory in charge of the under-21s to toast.

Speaking of presents, his side were handed a comical gift-wrapped opener 38 minutes into the continental tie as Juventus youngster Bruno Martinez Crous inexplicably passed the ball into his own net beyond Simone Scaglia under minimal pressure (watch below).

It was the spark the Baggies needed as they merited netting a second and then third through forward Jack Bray.

Downing will hope momentum can be taken forward into three other competitions up next, the Premier League Cup next week, National League Cup and Premier League 2 action.

Bray shows his class

Summer signing Bray has taken some time to get up and running and according to Downing has been 'itching to open his goalscoring account'.

He was billed as an attacking midfielder when the Baggies plucked the 18-year-old from Harrogate Town after a dazzling display and couple of goals against Albion's under-18s in the FA Youth Cup for the Yorkshire side last term.

But Bray has led the line for Albion's under-21s - who are currently light on striker options - against Nordsjaelland and Juventus and Downing explained he is comfortable either as a striker or a deeper forward.

His two finishes were certainly taken with real composure after some neat footwork for his first. Albion will hope a slight knee complaint is nothing serious.

Midfielders shine

Skipper Cole Deeming spent the whole pre-season and much of the last few weeks with Ryan Mason's senior squad.

With just his second under-21 appearance of the season he caught the eye here in front of the onlooking Mason. The armband seems to have made the boyhood Baggie stand taller with the responsibility. He almost rounded off a fine night with a stunning free-kick but thumped the woodwork.

Next to Deeming in midfield was north-east born Matty Crowther, the 18-year-old plucked from amateur football by Baggies coach James Morrison who stormed to the academy player of the season award last term.

Crowther, a dominant figure at 6ft 3ins, and Deeming were too physically strong for the Italian visitors. With Souleyman Mandey just in front of them, Downing's side were far too strong for their visitors as Crowther made his presence felt and caught the eye.

Rio’s reward

Few know the ability of attacking midfielder Parmar, who has just turned 18, better than Downing who has coached the youngster since the age of seven.

The rangy Parmar has caught the eye and made headlines for the under-18s, where Downing previously managed, of late with influential displays in support of the frontline.

He scored four goals in the first half in an 8-2 hammering of Birmingham City last month and last season played a starring role as the under-18s stormed to the FA Youth Cup quarter-final.

Parmar, from Northampton, got the squad call to face the youngsters from the Italian giants and while only turned to for the final five minutes he made his impact felt with a crucial fourth. Juve had just pulled a goal back for 3-2 through a fine strike and Parmar's cool close-range rebound into the roof of the net put the seal on a memorable night.

Support from the sides

In the Albion dressing room supporting his colleagues for the victory was midfielder Harry Whitwell, who is currently on loan at National League Forest Green Rovers.

Whitwell, who has impressed for Robbie Savage's high-flying Rovers, offered to support his team-mates according to Downing, who was chuffed with such a show of commitment.

Whitwell has already clocked up 11 National League appearances - eight of them starts - on loan and scored once, on his debut. He was voted man of the match in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to leaders Rochdale in the top-of-the-table clash.

Also present at The Hawthorns to support old friends and colleague was forward Reyes Cleary, the attacker who departed The Hawthorns in a move to League One Barnsley during the summer.