Ruth delighted as under-23s pass 'different test'

Albion youngsters through to Sussex Senior Cup final for third time in four years after 3-2 win over Worthing on Tuesday evening.

Bruce Talbot

2020-03-05T07:30:00Z

Under-23s assistant coach Shannon Ruth.

Coach Shannon Ruth praised Albion’s youngsters for sticking to their principals after they reached the Sussex Senior Cup for the third time in four years.

The under-23s needed extra time to beat Worthing 3-2 on Tuesday and will now play National League South Eastbourne Borough in May’s final at the Amex.

A big contingent of Worthing fans in a crowd of 946 helped make it a lively atmosphere at Culver Road in the semi, but Ruth felt his players handled a different type of game to those they are used to in Premier League 2 with confidence.

He said, “The really good turnout of Worthing fans definitely added to the pressure of the game.

“Our players had to get used to getting some stick from the crowd which is not what they are used to in the league, and it was something I asked them about at half-time - crowd management almost and riding the wave when the pressure is on. It was a different test.

Haydon Roberts takes the congratulations after scoring against Worthing

“It was all hands on deck at times, but you have to stay calm and stick to your philosophy of how you want to play and I thought we did that. We faced a lot of situations we don’t normally have in our division which is why the Senior Cup is really useful for the development of our young players.

"I thought it was a fair result in the end against a really good Worthing team.”

Ruth added that reaching the final was one of the goals for the squad back in August.

“At the start of the season it is always one of our targets to be in the final as it’s our home ground.

"We’re delighted to be there and we’re looking forward to the challenge of playing Eastbourne Borough now.”