Ruth: Quality moments got us into the quarter-finals

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Albion overcame the Tractor Boys at Portman Road on Friday night.

Charlie Hanson

2026-04-26T11:50+01:00

Shannon Ruth's team will face Manchester United at the Amex on Saturday. 📸 by James Boardman.

Delivering in key moments is what secured Albion’s place in the last eight of the Premier League 2 play-offs, according to men’s under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth.

In a tightly contested last-16 match at Portman Road on Friday, Albion edged past Ipswich Town 2-1 thanks to terrific goals from Josh Robertson and Sean Keogh.

Robertson curled in a superb equaliser from the edge of the box just before half-time, with Keogh finding what proved to be the winner midway through the second half with another delightful finish into the top right corner.

“I am really pleased to have won,” Ruth reflected. “We’ve been a little bit unfortunate in the last few years with not getting past this stage of the competition, so to do that is a really positive thing and shows progress.

Shannon Ruth felt that Albion and Ipswich Town cancelled each other out for large parts of their meeting in the last 16 of the Premier League 2 elimination playoffs. 📸 by James Boardman.

“It was a really tight game and the two best bits of quality were our two goals and we had to really work for them.

“Ipswich have had a really good season, they were top two or three for large parts of the season so they’re a good team. The game was tight but we showed good control and deserved the win.

“Whatever we tried to do they countered and vice-versa. It felt like a game where the two teams had prepared really well for each other. Both teams cancelled each other out and it took bits of real quality to separate us.”

While chances were at a premium effort was not, with Albion showing real togetherness to see out the final 20 minutes and secure the win.

Tyler Silsby came in for praise from his head coach after the win over the Tractor Boys. 📸 by James Boardman.

“I was really pleased with how we defended – when you go ahead the psychology changes and you have something to protect,” Ruth added. “Everyone who came on and finished the game had to defend in really critical moments.

“Tyler Silsby did a great job as he’s a winger but spent large parts of the game back and alongside Cal Mackley and defending against a winger. Everyone had to do their job and we did well to get over the line.”

Albion face a relatively quick turnaround as they prepare to take on Eastbourne Borough in the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup. If you want to support the team, head down to Culver Road on Wednesday night, kick-off 7.30pm.

“It keeps the season alive for us and there’s so much to play for. Our form has come good towards the end of the season, We have won five, drawn two and lost one of the last eight. This game adds to that and keeps the momentum going.

Sean Keogh celebrates putting Albion in front. 📸 by James Boardman.

“We take the Senior Cup seriously. We want our young players to play at the Amex in a cup final.

“We don’t want the first time they play at the stadium to be when they make their first team debut.

“Reaching the Sussex Senior Cup final would give us the opportunity to do that and to play in front of our fans in a Premier League stadium. We will be doing everything we can to get to the final.”