Keys Park

Monday 31st October 2022 - 19:00
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Stoke
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Rico Richards shoots at goal against Watford in the PL Cup

Rico Richards has been happy with his goal contributions for the PL2 side this term, and is looking to add to them when Albion’s youngsters host Stoke City at Keys Park on Monday night (ko 7pm).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE

The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a positive start to the Premier League 2 Division 2 campaign, contributing four direct goal involvements from six league matches.

Richards netted a fine individual goal last time out against Norwich City, but a depleted Baggies side had to fight for a point in the end as they earned a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road

Still, Richard Beale’s side remain unbeaten from their last five games in Division 2, and Rico is keen to extend that to six at Hednesford on Monday, as the 19-year-old looks to continue his good run in the attacking third.

Richards said: “My goal contributions have been good, especially considering how well we’ve been playing recently.

“We’ve been scoring goals, winning games and that’s shown in our position in the league table.

“My playing style is about creating chances and scoring goals, so doing that consistently is the main objective for me now going forward.

“We felt a point after our last game against Norwich was an accomplishment because we went through most possible situations during the 90 minutes. We went ahead, conceded, lost a man to injury to go down to ten men, and that meant we had to stay back.

“My goal contributions have increased and attacking and defensively, I feel I’m becoming more of a complete player. It showed in the last game when we went down to ten men because I had to do a lot of defending, but I managed to get forward and create chances too.

“I’m making steps forward, which is all that matters at this stage.

“I was happy with my goal at Norwich. Everything pieced together and when I controlled the ball and looked up, I almost had to do what I did and produce the finish I did. It also comes from confidence, though, and it’s a big part of my game and while I’m playing with confidence, it’ll always mean better performances from myself.

“I know the coaches believe I’m good enough to make the next step, but it’s just about keeping level-headed and producing every single game.

“Before last season, the difference in standards is massive especially since the cup win. Now we’re expected to go far by the coaches and ourselves because we know we can do it, we’ve proven it and it’s something we need to try and keep doing.

“It’s all about putting in the right performance. If we do that, then the goals and wins will come with it.

“Stoke won’t be an easy game, but we know what we’re up against. But if we continue producing what we showed in our last league games against Norwich and Middlesbrough, I have no doubts we’ll be able to get the right result.”

How to follow the game

Tickets will be available for Albion’s PL2 clash with Stoke City at Keys Park on Monday night.

Season ticket holders can watch the match for free, while the prices stand at £5 for adults, and just £1 for juniors.

Alternatively, season ticket holders and members can also enjoy a live stream of the match. Click here and log in with your My Albion account linked to your season ticket or membership.

The stream will begin 10 minutes before kick-off (6.50pm).

If you haven’t yet set up your account click here for instructions.

Albion PL2 players celebrate after their first goal against Stoke

Albion’s PL2 side produced a treat of a performance on Halloween night as they swept Stoke City aside 4-0 to secure a fourth win in five league games.

Jovan Malcolm and Reyes Cleary both bagged braces in the torrential rain at Hednesford Town’s Keys Park as Richard Beale’s youngsters strengthened their play-off hopes with another emphatic result.

Albion produced a scarily good start and spooked Stoke with two early strikes to seize control in Staffordshire.

Malcolm got things rolling with a tremendous effort from 25 yards after just four minutes. The striker picked up possession, turned onto his right foot and buried the ball into the bottom corner past the flying Tommy Simkin between the sticks for the Potters.

Hesitant defending at the back allowed the Baggies to double their advantage. Right-back Tom Curle let the ball bounce over his head where Cleary was waiting to pounce on the edge of the six-yard box to make it 2-0.

The visitors had three chances to reduce the deficit before the half-hour mark following the two Albion goals, but Ted Cann made a trio of smart stops, most noticeably from forward Emre Tezgel. 

Goalscorers Malcolm and Cleary tried their luck at the other end of the pitch with a header and a long-range attempt respectively, but they both saw the ball sail over the bar.

Richard Beale’s youngsters repeated the trick of scoring early in the first half by adding another goal less than two minutes into the second period. 

Ethan Ingram was played in down the right side of the box and he laid on a perfect cross for Malcolm to slot his second into an empty net.

More nightmare Stoke defending led to Albion’s fourth of the night, which came just six minutes after their third. A loose pass was picked up by Cleary who rifled in a first-time strike with his right foot from 20 yards.

The Baggies and the Potters tried to carve out opportunities deeper into the second half but the relentlessly poor conditions made proceedings difficult for both sets of players, with the hosts closing the contest out and easing to yet another high-scoring PL2 triumph.

ALBION: Cann; Hall, Nguepissi, Harper-Bailey; Ingram, Whitwell, M.Richards (Mfuamba HT), Ashworth © (Humphries 57); R.Richards (Higgins 57), Malcolm, Cleary (Wangussi 57).

Subs: Cisse (GK).