Kyle Edwards: From ball boy to match winner for West Brom
Kyle Edwards grew up celebrating goals going in at the Birmingham Road End as a ball-boy, just like several of his team-mates and peers.
But on Tuesday night, the 20-year-old from Dudley felt what it was like to be on the other side of that coin, as he rifled in the winner in Albion’s 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town.
It built on a promising few months for the youngster, who netted at Wembley in the League Two play-off final before catching the eye in pre-season.
Just like Sam Field, who scored in that same net last November, and Jonathan Leko, who swept home his first goal for the Baggies up the other end on Tuesday, Edwards is beginning to realise his dream.
“It’s special,” he admitted afterwards. “I’ve been here ball-boying and celebrating when everyone else is scoring, so for me to be the one that is scoring now and everyone to be cheering on and cheering for me, it feels great.
“I’ll probably watch it back just once more! It’s another great experience, and a great feeling.
“I found out I was starting on the day and I just thought to myself from the start it would be great to get a goal.
“Coming up through the academy you dream of scoring here and luckily I’ve done it.”
Edwards was one of four academy graduates to start the Carabao Cup match, and the youngsters came flying out of the blocks in a scintillating first half.
He had a hand in the first goal too, sending Oliver Burke through on goal before the speedy striker squared it to Leko.
Further back was Rekeem Harper, still just 18, looking assured in central midfield, and Field playing in a new role at left centre-back.
“We’ve all come up as youngsters, so we know how each other play as well so that can help a lot,” said Edwards.
“I think first half we were on top. We got into the ten pocket a lot of times and we created of opportunities.
“Second half they changed their formation a little bit, which made it harder for us. I felt like we had many more chances to win the game and we could have won it by a lot more than we did.”
Darren Moore has received a lot of interest from lower-league teams in taking his young stars out on loan, and Edwards said his time at Exeter City last season helped him develop.
“I think it benefitted me a lot, because League Two is a lot different to Championship or the Premier League,” he said.
“Bigger players, and they’re more physical. Maybe I’m a bit more used to it than I would have been if I hadn’t gone.”
But he hopes his performances have given Moore food for thought for the season ahead.
“That’s all I can do," he added. "All we can do, the younger players. We just need to push and push and see if we can get an opportunity to play in the league.”
