Albion under-23s returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Southampton at St Mary’s on Monday.
In a tight game of few clear-cut chances, Max Sanders got the only goal in the first half with a sumptuous strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
The hosts probed for an equaliser and had a couple of chances, but they found Albion tough to break down. Victory lifts Simon Rusk’s side up to fifth in a competitive Premier League 2, only two points off top spot.
Albion were looking to end a run of three successive defeats and the team was strengthened by the inclusion of four players who have played in the Premier League as Robert Sanchez, Jayson Molumby, Jose Izquierdo and Steve Alzate all started.
Saints too had a sprinkling of players with first-team experience and it made for a very competitive 90 minutes with seven players booked including Sanders, Alzate and Antef Tsoungui.
Izquierdo came off at the break as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery but the other three got 90 minutes under their belt and would have been pleased with their contributions. Jensen Weir was pushed into service in central defence and was among those to impress in a blue shirt.
The first half was open and entertaining, and it was a surprise that it took until the 36th minute for the deadlock to be broken.
Molumby and Tsoungui went close for Albion while Sanchez showed good reflexes to push away a powerful drive from Yan Valery around the right-hand post – Southampton’s best opening of the opening 45.
Albion went in front with a high-quality finish by Sanders. The midfielder found a pocket of space on the right-hand corner of the penalty area and bent a right-foot shot across the face of goal into the top corner, with Saints’ keeper Kingsley Latham helpless.
Reda Khadra cut in from the right but found the side netting before Sanchez used all his height to flip a free kick from Callum Sanders over the bar in stoppage time as the half ended with opportunities at both ends.
Teddy Jenks replaced Izquierdo at the break and in the early stages of the second half the home side had better possession in attacking areas but were unable to seriously threaten Sanchez.
The keeper should have been beaten in the 76th minute however when Southampton’s powerful midfielder Imbrahima Diallo held off a couple of defenders but lifted his shot from eight yards well over the target.
Two minutes later Sanchez was called upon, but he got down well to his right to push away Nathan Tella’s shot. It was his only moment of alarm as the defenders in front of him offered their keeper good protection.
As the home side pushed more men forward, Albion had to dig deep in the closing stages but secured a welcome win. They are back in action again on Friday when they travel to Manchester City.
Albion: Sanchez, Yapi, Tanimowo, Sanders, Weir, Tsoungui, Khadra (Packham 90), Molumby, Cashman (Ella 71), Alzate, Izquierdo (Jenks 45). Subs: Rushworth, Vukoje.
Referee: Adrian Quelch