Match Reports

Albion 3-0 Preston

An image of Alex Mowatt celebrating his goal against Preston with his teammates

Albion secured their place in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs with an impressive 3-0 victory over Preston North End on Saturday.

Goals from Alex Mowatt, Kyle Bartley and Darnell Furlong sealed three crucial points at a jubilant, sold-out Hawthorns.

The result means Carlos Corberán’s men have finished fifth in the table, setting up a two-legged semi-final clash against Southampton.

An image of Darnell Furlong celebrating his goal against Preston with his teammates

The boss made three changes for the clash, bringing Mowatt, Tom Fellows and Brandon Thomas-Asante into his XI.

They controlled much of the opening 45 minutes, though were unable to convert a couple of decent chances when Thomas-Asante volleyed wide and Mikey Johnston saw an effort saved.

The hosts did manage to grab that all-important first, though, seconds before the break. Furlong did brilliantly to win a penalty, and Mowatt stepped-up to send Freddie Woodman the wrong way.

An image of Alex Mowatt celebrating his goal against Preston

Albion then eased any remaining nerves on the 61-minute mark, and Furlong was involved again - the right back’s throw reaching Bartley, who just about squeezed a header home and doubled the advantage.

An image of Kyle Bartley celebrating his goal against Preston

The third followed soon after, and this time Furlong turned provider to scorer - Conor Townsend superbly laying it on a plate for Albion’s No.2 to side-foot in from around 12-yards out.

An image of Darnell Furlong celebrating his goal against Preston

Corberán began to ring the changes with the Play-Offs in mind, though his team continued to play well create opportunities, without managing to take another one.

Down the other end, they ensured Alex Palmer earned a share of the Championship’s Golden Glove award, too, keeping a clean sheet to top off a fantastic afternoon in B71.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Kipre, Bartley, Townsend; Yokuslu (M’Vila 76), Mowatt; Fellows (Wallace 68), Diangana (Phillips 85), Johnston (Swift 76); Thomas-Asante (Maja 85).

Substitutes: Griffiths, Ajayi, Reach, Chalobah.

Attendance: 25,386 (1,266).