Ruth: Team spirit will be so important in double cup-final week

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Albion's under-21s face Three Bridges tonight in the Sussex Senior Cup final

2026-05-13T06:00+01:00

Noel Atom leads the celebrations after scoring against Tottenham on Friday. 📷Simon Roe.

Shannon Ruth says the exemplary team spirit in his under-21s squad can have a big impact as they go for cup glory this week.

Albion take on Three Bridges tonight in the Sussex Senior Cup final before returning to the Amex on Saturday night to play Manchester United in the PL2 play-off final.

Ruth’s side have found their most consistent form of the season in recent weeks to win six of their last seven games despite regular changes of personnel.

“To get to two finals as a young player is hard,” said Ruth. “The U21 development programme is forever changing so stability and consistency is difficult. But no matter who's come in to play this season they've all stepped up.

“There were 17 players who travelled to Tottenham on Friday (for the 3-1 PL2 semi-final win) but another ten were there just to watch their teammates play – and they were in the changing room celebrating with them, which shows you just how together this group is.

"We had Joe Knight, who joined Stevenage earlier in the season, with us which is a reflection of the environment we create here.

Shannon Ruth's under-21s have the opportunity to win two trophies this season. 📷Simon Roe

“We want to challenge the players; we want to support them. We end up being their family and they always come back. I take real pride from that and seeing Harry Howell perform like he did on Friday, playing at his maximum despite having played in the Premier League. I also take pride in the fact he wants to do that for our group.”

Ruth wants his players to embrace playing at the Amex. Tonight’s opponents Three Bridges recently won promotion to the Isthmian League premier division and Ruth knows they will be a difficult challenge.

“The more we can be in later stages of competitions, the more we can be in finals, the better," he added.

“If there's a competition where playing at the Amex is the final that's an opportunity for us to play at our home stadium - and we've got it twice this week. It's an opportunity for the players to make sure that their debut isn't the first time they walk out at the Amex.

“So for us it was vital we got to the final tonight and we're really looking forward to the players having that type of game with fans in the ground.”