Club News

Kidderminster 1 Albion 2

Berahino double earns Albion win

• A goal in either half for Berahino
• Four youngsters involved for the Baggies
• Harriers net late penalty
• 3,301 at Aggborough for Albion’s first UK friendly

SAIDO Berahino scored twice as Albion secured a 2-1 victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough.

Tony Pulis’ starting XI all got 90 minutes under their belts as the Baggies played out their first pre-season fixture on home soil after returning from a week-long training camp in Austria on Thursday.

After a quiet opening to the game it was the Baggies who went ahead on 17 minutes when Saido Berahino eased the ball past Harriers keeper Sam Hornby from Salomon Rondon’s clever flick-on.

Matt Phillips nearly made it 2-0 seven minutes before the break but his diverted low shot fell just wide of the left upright from Craig Gardner’s left-wing corner.

Youngsters Jack Fitzwater and Sam Field were again impressive in the Baggies back four after featuring in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in Schladming. 

Berahino almost scored again six minutes after the restart. His right-foot strike from 15 yards drifted beyond the left post after Rondon played him through.

Berahino was on hand to provide a classy run and finish to dink the Baggies into a two-goal lead on 58 minutes after Harriers failed to clear their lines. 

Phillips came even closer to netting his first goal in an Albion shirt on 77 but his curling right-foot effort from 20 yards was well saved by the Kidderminster keeper. 

The hosts nearly grabbed one back three minutes later when Sam Austin’s fierce left-foot strike smashed against the right upright from just outside the area.

Kidderminster got their goal with seven minutes remaining when a trialist slotted home from the penalty spot after being brought down by Leko. 

The Baggies will continue their preparations for the 2016/17 Premier League season when they head to Holland for the FOX Sports Cup on Wednesday. 

ALBION: Foster; Gardner, Dawson, Fitzwater, Field; Phillips, Yacob, Fletcher, Leko; Rondon, Berahino.
Subs not used: Palmer; McCourt, Elbouzedi, Sweeney, Smith.