Liam Rosenior continued his comeback from injury with another outing for Abion's under-23s last night.

But it was a player half his age that grabbed the limelight against West Ham at the training complex in Lancing.

Irish striker Aaron Connolly, just 16, scored twice on his debut for the age group below the seniors in a convincing 3-0 victory.

Connolly latched onto a through ball by ex-Arsenal defender Tom Dallison, back from a loan spell with Cambridge United, to slot Simon Rusk's side into a seventh minute lead with a composed finish.

The Republic of Ireland international's instant impact capped a memorable few days.

Connolly, signed in the summer, opened the scoring in Friday's 2-0 win against Cambridge United at the Amex in the FA Youth Cup, which clinched a fifth round trip to Stoke on February 3 (7pm).

Rosenior stepped up his return from a broken ankle and ligament damage sustained in the closing stages of the draw at Reading in August.

The 32-year-old utility player launched his recovery with 45 minutes in last week's Checkatrade Trophy exit at Coventry.

Rosenior played for just over an hour this time without any problems before making way for the debut of Jordan Davies, signed last week from Wrexham.

Teenage Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, outstanding at Coventry, kept Albion ahead in the first half by blocking Kyle Knoyle's effort from a tight angle from a right wing cross.

West Ham included Ashley Fletcher in their line-up. The 21-year-old forward has made 12 appearances for the Hammers in the Premier League this season after joining them in July on a four-year deal from Manchester United.

Dallison and partner Ben White handled Fletcher well in the opening 45 minutes, the latter preventing him from equalising with a timely block after Sanchez dashed off his line but failed to clear.

The stocky Connolly kept the visitors' defence marshalled by 18-year-old Reece Oxford - another Hammer with first team experience - on their toes, although enthusiasm got the better of him when he was booked for a foul approaching the interval.

James Tilley was forced off injured for Albion early in the second half. His replacement, Dylan Barnett, helped double the lead in the 57th minute with a probing cross which was headed into his own net by central defender Declan Rice, with Connolly lurking.

Connolly struck again 16 minutes from time, capitalising on a cut-back from Davies with a crisp left-foot finish to complete a dream debut.

Albion (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Rosenior (Davies 62), White, (Starkey 70), Dallison, Cox; Barclay, Hutchinson; Tilley (Barnett 52), Mandroiu; Connolly. Subs: Hall, Vose.

West Ham (4-4-2): Trott; Knoyle, Rice, Oxford, Makasi; Kemp (Powell 62), Lewis (Diangana 75), Quina, Browne; Fletcher, Martinez. Subs: Sylvestre, Matrevics, Akinola.

Referee: Adam Bromley.