Match Reports

Cheltenham Town 1-0 Albion

An image of Darnell Furlong in action against Cheltenham

Albion’s third friendly of pre-season ended in defeat as they were edged out 1-0 by Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening.

Despite the Baggies dominating most of the match, Town were more clinical - Robins striker Aidan Keena scoring the game’s only goal on 60 minutes to earn them the victory.

Carlos Corberán’s men are in action again on Wednesday when they travel to Salford City (ko 7:45pm).

Albion controlled possession from the off and tested Luke Southwood twice in the opening 25 minutes via Jed Wallace’s long-range strike and a low Brandon Thomas-Asante effort.

Jovan Malcolm also saw a strike comfortably stopped and Thomas-Asante struck off-target as the visitors pushed for the opener.

The Baggies’ best chance of the half fell to Malcolm shortly ahead of the break, the young winger only finding the side-netting at the end of an excellent flowing move involving most of the team.

Following a goalless first half filled with Albion chances, it was more of the same at the start of the second period.

Jayson Molumby was in the middle of the action, slicing a pull-back wide seconds after the break and then forcing substitute goalkeeper Max Harris into action.

But on the hour mark Cheltenham forged their first real chance and edged in front – striker Aidan Keena going through on goal and finishing well past Alex Palmer.

Corberán made 10 changes with 20 minutes to go, and Cheltenham did the same five minutes later. Neither managed to create a clear opportunity late on and it ended 1-0 to the Robins.

Starting XI: Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Kipre, Reach; Molumby, Mowatt; Wallace, Swift, Malcolm (Andrews 46); Thomas-Asante.

XI after 70 minutes: Cann; Hall, Mohammed, Harper-Bailey, Williams; Mfuamba, Andrews; Higgins, Nelson, Heard; Love.