Under-21s raise the Ruth with 4-0 win

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New coach sees his side sink Spurs with four second-half goals.

Luke Nicoli

2022-09-30T19:45:00Z

Cameron Peupion is congratulated after scoring the second of Albion's four goals.

Shannon Ruth made a winning start to life as Albion’s under-21 coach with a comfortable win against ten-man Tottenham.

Albion picked up their second win of the season thanks to four second-half goals and Ruth, who was promoted following Andrew Crofts’ elevation to the first-team set-up, would have been pleased with the application and relentless nature of his side.

Tottenham’s task was made all the more difficult after just 22 minutes when defender Alfie Dorrington was shown a straight red card, and it came after his side had made the better start to the game.

Indeed, the visitors had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created the game’s first two chances through Nile John and Jamie Donley.

The game’s momentum swung, however, when Dorrington was given his marching orders for hauling down Andy Moran, who had turned the centre-back and was clean in on goal.

From the resulting free-kick, Jack Spong curled his effort narrowly wide, while Moran saw two close-range efforts blocked soon after. Jack Hinshelwood was also thwarted by some last-ditch Tottenham defending.

Albion were making their numerical advantage pay and an unmarked Cam Peupion had a good effort to break the deadlock before the break, but his effort flew narrowly over the bar.

Forays into the Seagulls’ box were inevitably less frequent for the visitors, but having won a free-kick, Harvey White saw his 20-yard effort deflected narrowly wide.

In driving wind and rain, it continued to be one-way traffic after the break, with Hinshelwood’s low effort falling agonisingly wide of the post. The lively Moran also tried his luck from distance but Spurs keeper Josh Keeley was equal to it.

Jack Hinshelwood celebrates after Albion put the game out of sight.

As the visitors began to tire, it felt like a matter of when not if Albion would score, and the breakthrough duly arrived on 66 minutes when James Furlong delightfully stood the ball up on the left byline, leaving Moran to head powerfully home.

Albion’s man of the match then turned provider for the second, sending over a deep cross that Peupion headed into the top corner with 15 minutes remaining.

Ruth’s side could have taken their foot off the gas, but they continued to push forward. Kallum Cesay added to a miserable night for Tottenham, deflecting sub Todd Miller’s cushioned effort past his own keeper, while Ed Turns thumped home at the second attempt to complete the rout late on.

All in all, a good evening’s work, with Gillingham next up for the side on Tuesday night in the Papa Johns Trophy.

Albion: Beadle, Offiah (sub: Packham 70), Turns, Tsongui, Furlong, Peupion, Hinshelwood, Spong, Baker-Boaitey (Barrington 62), Moran, Wilson (Miller 55). Subs not used: Chouchane, Cahill.