Match Reports

Albion XI 4 Port Vale XI 0

Gareth Barry made his return to football in a 4-0 win against Port Vale at a behind-closed-doors fixture at Albion's training ground.

The decorated 38-year-old midfielder had not played a competitive game since March following knee surgery, but played an hour in an internal game this week and another hour against Port Vale alongside a host of fellow first-teamers, with Chris Brunt, Kieran Gibbs and Jonathan Bond also gaining minutes.

The Baggies went ahead just after the half-hour mark as Rayhaan Tulloch latched onto a Saul Shotton pass and slotted a side-footed effort into the back of the net.

After the hour mark, Albion wrapped up the tie as Jamie Soule tapped into an empty net following a Nick Clayton-Phillips cross. Soule added to his tally with less than five minutes to play, striking in after a George Harmon cross.

With the final kick of the game, Chris Willock fired in a fourth for the Baggies to round off a dominant display.

The game was a Central League Cup fixture, with the Baggies currently top of their group with three wins from as many games. If Albion win their five-team group then they will be entered into the quarter-finals of the tournament.

ALBION: Bond; White, Martinez, Shotton, Gibbs (Harmon 78); Barry (Clayton-Phillips 62), Brunt (Wilding 45); Tulloch, Harper, Willock; Soule.

Substitutes: Cann, Azaz.

Image removed.

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