Albion's under-21s picked up their first points of the season today in the second division of the Premier League.
Fringe first teamers Paddy McCourt and Nzuzi Toko helped Simon Ireland's youngsters to a 1-0 win against Derby County at the Sussex FA headquarters in Culver Road, Lancing.
Rob Deen slotted the only goal at the start of the second half to get Albion off the mark following defeats at home to Blackburn and away to Middlesbrough.
Albion, watched by manager Sami Hyypia and his assistant Nathan Jones, were grateful early on for the agility of England under-20s keeper Christian Walton, who tipped over Jamie Hanson's shot from inside the area.
James Muitt curled one effort over from long range and fired wide in the opening 45 minutes.
McCourt, showing his ability on the ball, tested Derby keeper Jonathan Mitchell with a free-kick just before the break.
Deen put Albion ahead immediately after the interval with an accomplished finish, stroking in from an acute angle from Muitt's pass.
Glen Rea kept the lead in tact shortly afterwards, clearing off the line after Walton spilled a cross.
Rob Hunt also clared off the line from Kwame Thomas, Derby's danegrous centre-forward, following a corner.
Muitt almost doubled Albion's lead on the break in the closing stages, Mitchell blocking his shot from a clever pass by McCourt.
Albion (4-1-2-2-1): Walton; Barry, Rea, Pappoe, Hunt; Toko; Harris, Starkey; McCourt, Muitt (Dallison-Lisbon 90); Deen (Cole 71). Subs not used: Wiltshire, Smith, Hutchinson.
Derby County (4-2-1-3): Mitchell; Hendrie, Rawson, Hanson, Lowe; Naylor, Koblenz, Bunjaku; Santos (McDonald 69), Thomas, Guy. Subs not used: Stabana, Morch, Zanzala, Babos.
Original article
Fringe first teamers Paddy McCourt and Nzuzi Toko helped Simon Ireland's youngsters to a 1-0 win against Derby County at the Sussex FA headquarters in Culver Road, Lancing.
Rob Deen slotted the only goal at the start of the second half to get Albion off the mark following defeats at home to Blackburn and away to Middlesbrough.
Albion, watched by manager Sami Hyypia and his assistant Nathan Jones, were grateful early on for the agility of England under-20s keeper Christian Walton, who tipped over Jamie Hanson's shot from inside the area.
James Muitt curled one effort over from long range and fired wide in the opening 45 minutes.
McCourt, showing his ability on the ball, tested Derby keeper Jonathan Mitchell with a free-kick just before the break.
Deen put Albion ahead immediately after the interval with an accomplished finish, stroking in from an acute angle from Muitt's pass.
Glen Rea kept the lead in tact shortly afterwards, clearing off the line after Walton spilled a cross.
Rob Hunt also clared off the line from Kwame Thomas, Derby's danegrous centre-forward, following a corner.
Muitt almost doubled Albion's lead on the break in the closing stages, Mitchell blocking his shot from a clever pass by McCourt.
Albion (4-1-2-2-1): Walton; Barry, Rea, Pappoe, Hunt; Toko; Harris, Starkey; McCourt, Muitt (Dallison-Lisbon 90); Deen (Cole 71). Subs not used: Wiltshire, Smith, Hutchinson.
Derby County (4-2-1-3): Mitchell; Hendrie, Rawson, Hanson, Lowe; Naylor, Koblenz, Bunjaku; Santos (McDonald 69), Thomas, Guy. Subs not used: Stabana, Morch, Zanzala, Babos.
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Original article