Ruth delighted as Albion handle physical test

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Head coach reflects on Tuesday's 2-1 win over Sutton United in the National League Cup.

Luke Nicoli

2025-09-16T21:40+01:00

Shannon Ruth, left, and coach Mikey Harris. Ruth was pleased with his team's performance against National League Sutton United.

Albion under-21 head coach Shannon Ruth was delighted with the way his young side coped with the physical nature of opponents Sutton United.

The Seagulls were heading for a comfortable 2-0 National League Cup victory at Gander Green Lane, but a late goal from the hosts set up a grandstand finish. Indeed, Albion had to deal with a real aerial bombardment in the closing stages but managed to see the game out well and won 2-1.

“I was pleased with the team's performance up to the point when we were 2-0 ahead, but from a ball they got in we lost concentration for a second, they scored, and it became quite a test.

“But when I look back at the game I was able to see some real positive development from the young players because we don't really get that amount of pressure on our box in our league – the direct play, the long throws, the corners. I felt the lads dealt with it so well because when a team scores out of the blue it can knock you.

Joe Knight challenges in the air. 📷 James Boardman

“Young players can find it hard to recover from that, but they stuck together, including the subs when they came on. From a development coaching perspective the game gave us everything and I felt the lads dealt very well with it.”

Albion's defence was superbly marshalled through the closing stages by over-aged player Ben Barclay, who also netted our second goal with a towering header.

“When we thought about Ben for the role it was to help the young players navigate through situations they haven't been in before and Ben did that brilliantly,” added Ruth. “We had players aged 16, 17 out there, so to have him next to them is very useful. He was very good tonight – his role is very important to us.”