Teixeira return
Filipe Teixeira made his long-awaited comeback for Albion in last night’s reserve game against West Ham United.
The Baggies suffered a 4-3 defeat but of greater significance was the return of the Portuguese midfielder, who played just over an hour on his return from a six-month knee injury lay-off.
Albion took the lead at Bishop Stortford FC’s ground thanks to Sebastien Lake-Gaskin’s 18th-minute deflected strike.
The Hammers levelled 13 minutes later through Freddie Sears but Bartosz Slusarski won and converted a penalty to restore Albion’s lead in the 39th minute.
West Ham equalised through Sears from a set-piece in the 42nd minute but Lateef Elford-Alliyu’s 25-yard cracker put the Baggies ahead a minute before the break.
Pele handled the ball in the 58th minute, allowing Sears to complete his hat-trick from the spot before he netted the lastminute winner.
Reserve coach Michael Appleton believes Teixeira needs more second-string games before thinking about a first-team return.
He said: “The signs are there but he probably needs three or four games.
“Filipe took a few heavy challenges but just got up and got on with things. He was lacking a bit of sharpness, which is to be expected, but from time to time he showed that little burst of pace and a turn to get away from people. I was pleased with his performance.”
ALBION: Allsop, Pike, Saied, Samuels (Clarke 71), Pele, Martis, Knight, Lake-Gaskin, Slusarski (Brown 71), Elford-Alliyu, Teixeira (Sawyers 64). Not used: Mantom.
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