Top scorer George Barker’s seventh goal of the season gave Luke Williams’s development squad a richly deserved 1-0 win over Cardiff City at a freezing Culver Road.
The win puts an end to the development side’s run of three games without a win in a match which lacked any real sparks on Guy Fawkes Night.With the first team in action at home to Peterborough tomorrow, Williams had the opportunity to field a youthful side, although throughout the contest Williams's team kept the ball for long spells like a team of experienced pros.
The opening half hour was lacking in any fireworks apart from the ones exploding overhead as Albion dominated possession without posing any real threat.
Charlie Oatway had Albion’s first shot on goal after just four minutes but dragged his long range effort well wide before Peter Brezovan had to be alert to push Jesse Darko’s drilled effort wide.
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With the game seemingly heading for a goalless first half, Albion snatched the lead just before the break. Tobjorn Agdestein cut in from the left hand side before his right footed strike forced Elliot Parrish into a save low to his left but Barker was on hand convert the rebound with a simple tap-in.
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Cardiff felt they should have had an equaliser before the break as a corner from the left was flicked at the near post by Nathaniel Jarvis but Brezovan magnificently clawed the ball away as it headed for the top corner. The Welsh side appealed in vain that the ball had crossed the line but play continued much to their chagrin.
The second half provided much more of a display than the tepid first and the Dragons were inches away from an equaliser when Nathaniel Jarvis found a gap in the Albion defence. The midfielder’s chip beat the on-rushing Brezovan but fell just past the post.
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Albion nearly had a carbon copy of their first goal when a lively Agdestein once again wriggled his way past the Cardiff defence before unleashing a fierce shot on goal for Parrish to push away; this time the rebound* fell to Shamir Goodwin but his follow up went over the bar.
Williams's team continued to press against a quickly tiring Cardiff and Anton Rodgers had a glorious opportunity to put clear daylight between the sides. Oatway sent Rodgers through on goal but the midfielder opted to square the ball rather than shooting and Cardiff were able to clear the danger.
Norwegian forward Agdestein continued his own personal quest for a goal but his 75th minute strike fizzed just wide of the post.
Barker’s clever flick teed up substitute Ben Dickenson with an opportunity to settle the game late but once again Parrish was equal to the strike, tipping it round the post, however Cardiff failed to conjure up a late rallying cry* and Albion comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
*Albion: (4-3-3) Brezovan (GK), Sampayo, McGiveron, Jones, Akubuine; Rodgers, Richards (March 75), Oatway; Agdestein, Barker, Goodwin (Dickenson 65). Subs not used; Smith (GK), Hunt.
Original article
The win puts an end to the development side’s run of three games without a win in a match which lacked any real sparks on Guy Fawkes Night.With the first team in action at home to Peterborough tomorrow, Williams had the opportunity to field a youthful side, although throughout the contest Williams's team kept the ball for long spells like a team of experienced pros.
The opening half hour was lacking in any fireworks apart from the ones exploding overhead as Albion dominated possession without posing any real threat.
Charlie Oatway had Albion’s first shot on goal after just four minutes but dragged his long range effort well wide before Peter Brezovan had to be alert to push Jesse Darko’s drilled effort wide.
*
With the game seemingly heading for a goalless first half, Albion snatched the lead just before the break. Tobjorn Agdestein cut in from the left hand side before his right footed strike forced Elliot Parrish into a save low to his left but Barker was on hand convert the rebound with a simple tap-in.
*
Cardiff felt they should have had an equaliser before the break as a corner from the left was flicked at the near post by Nathaniel Jarvis but Brezovan magnificently clawed the ball away as it headed for the top corner. The Welsh side appealed in vain that the ball had crossed the line but play continued much to their chagrin.
The second half provided much more of a display than the tepid first and the Dragons were inches away from an equaliser when Nathaniel Jarvis found a gap in the Albion defence. The midfielder’s chip beat the on-rushing Brezovan but fell just past the post.
*
Albion nearly had a carbon copy of their first goal when a lively Agdestein once again wriggled his way past the Cardiff defence before unleashing a fierce shot on goal for Parrish to push away; this time the rebound* fell to Shamir Goodwin but his follow up went over the bar.
Williams's team continued to press against a quickly tiring Cardiff and Anton Rodgers had a glorious opportunity to put clear daylight between the sides. Oatway sent Rodgers through on goal but the midfielder opted to square the ball rather than shooting and Cardiff were able to clear the danger.
Norwegian forward Agdestein continued his own personal quest for a goal but his 75th minute strike fizzed just wide of the post.
Barker’s clever flick teed up substitute Ben Dickenson with an opportunity to settle the game late but once again Parrish was equal to the strike, tipping it round the post, however Cardiff failed to conjure up a late rallying cry* and Albion comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
*Albion: (4-3-3) Brezovan (GK), Sampayo, McGiveron, Jones, Akubuine; Rodgers, Richards (March 75), Oatway; Agdestein, Barker, Goodwin (Dickenson 65). Subs not used; Smith (GK), Hunt.
Original article