Snows Stadium

Friday 12th August 2022 -  19:00
Southampton
- Days
- Hrs
- Mins
- Secs
4
v
1
WBA
Stream on WBA TV
Key Events

Andrews 22.23

Jamie Andrews is focused on maintaining his team's good start to the campaign when Albion’s PL2 side play Southampton at Snows Stadium on Friday night (ko 7pm).

Richard Beale’s men showed resilience to win their opening game of the season, coming from behind to defeat Newcastle United 2-1 at the club’s training ground thanks to a late brace from Reyes Cleary.

19-year-old Andrews skippered the young Baggies to victory during their maiden league outing as the youngsters dominated proceedings, having 22 shots on goal and numerous final-third entries.

And the U21s midfielder is enjoying the freedom of a new role in the middle, as he looks to keep fighting to make “the next step” and lead his team-mates to another positive result against Saints.

Andrews said: “I’m taking advice from Bealey and Deon and all the coaches around the club, and I’m just excited for this season now and want to keep pushing.

“I want to take the next step now, whatever that may be. At the moment I’m in the U23s and putting my head down doing the best I can to try and push myself on.

“We’re a team who sits and waits for the right moment to go and force the issue together. This year we’ve got more men in midfield which allows me to get outside the box and land on balls further up the pitch.

“It gives me more of a license to get forward and I like how it gets me more involved in our attacks now.

Andrews in training ahead of Southampton trip

“Last year Caleb was captain and he’s one of my closest friends here, so I was always taking notes and following his lead.

“I want to be that main voice this year and it was a pleasure to have been made captain for our first game because I’ve followed the club since I was born and I will do everything to help it be a success.

“I remember when we played Southampton for the first time last season and we won 6-0, but then the next three times we came up against them it was very difficult.

“They're a good team and we won’t underestimate them. We got off to a good start on Monday, put in a good performance to win the game and created a lot of chances.

“If we perform like that again on Friday, I’m confident we can go into the game and get the win.”

Saints PL2 report

A rallying second-half display from Southampton condemned Albion’s PL2 side to their first defeat of the season at Snows Stadium on Friday night.

A bright first half saw the young Baggies take the lead courtesy of Akeel Higgins’ smart finish, but Dom Ballard’s equaliser breathed life into the home side’s cause.

And Saints took full advantage of their momentum after the break as Ballard netted his brace, Matt Carson headed in a third, before Ryan Finnigan made sure of the win.

The final score didn’t reflect the endeavour and inventiveness shown by the young Baggies during the first 45, as opportunities regularly came their way.

Captain Jamie Andrews curled a free-kick narrowly wide as the visitors began their tight pressing game and it paid off after 11 minutes - Higgins showing neat footwork to nutmeg his man in the box before finishing low to give Richard Beale’s men a deserved lead.

Resilient defending prevented a second Albion goal and Andrews kept gaining space for shots, with a matter of inches separating his rasping drive from finding the net.

Jamie Andrews in action against Saints. Credit: Chris Moorhouse

But they were made to pay for not making their pressure count as Ballard netted either side of half-time to turn the game on its head.

Andrews couldn’t capitalise on another attempt, this time seeing a strike on his weaker side held by the Saints stopper, and it led to further punishment for the boys from the Black Country.

Carson ghosted around the back of the Baggies defence to nod in a third and the defeat was confirmed when Finnigan’s deflected shot deceived keeper Ronnie Hollingshead, bouncing in off the shot-stopper via the post to ensure Beale’s side suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Albion: Hollingshead; Williams, Ingram, Nguepissi, Shaw; Whitwell, Andrews©️, Higgins (Heard 80); Fellows, Faal, Malcolm (Mfuamba 71).

Substitutes: Cisse, Phillips, Humphries.