Crofts and Ruth delighted with emphatic win

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Under-23 interim coaches give their reaction to 6-1 victory.

Alex Stedman

2021-02-05T22:02:00Z

Andrew Crofts and Shannon Ruth claimed a victory in their first match in interim charge of the Under-23s.

Albion's under-23s recorded their first win of 2021 with a convincing display against West Ham United on Friday.

The hosts had six different scorers as Crofts and Ruth took charge of a match for the first time and both were delighted with their side’s performance.

You couldn't have asked for a better start tonight?

Antef Tsoungui put Albion in front after 15 minutes.

SR: “I thought the application and desire the team showed tonight was fantastic. We wanted the players to give everything and commit to what we've done in the week, they did that and more.

“Their energy throughout the game was strong and so was their communication, so we're extremely pleased.”

The side were ahead at half time and West Ham were down to ten men, but the lads didn't sit back and relax.

AC: “We spoke after the game about that, they've been relentless in the way they've demanded everything from both themselves as individuals and the team as a whole.

“That showed tonight, sometimes it's hard to do that when you're quite comfortable, but we did the right things for most of the game. After a couple of tough defeats we're delighted for the group.

Six different scorers - a real team performance?

AC: “That's what we’ve been encouraging. It's easy to say, but your teammates are so important if you want to win matches.

“That togetherness really shone through and we've said to the lads that's what we want to see in every training session and every game, hopefully that will stand them in good stead in their careers.”

At the other end, Carl Rushworth made some big saves too?