Five Baggies were in action across three different divisions in the EFL on New Year’s Day.
In the Sky Bet Championship, midfielder Taylor Gardner-Hickman was brought on in the 55th minute of Bristol City’s clash with Millwall, replacing Matty James at Ashton Gate.
The Londoners claimed a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Shaun Hutchinson’s injury-time strike.
A double change. 🔄
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) January 1, 2024
⬅️ Weimann, James
➡️ Sykes, Gardner-Hickman#BRCMIL 🔴 0-0 🦁 [55]
In Sky Bet League One, defender Zac Ashworth was a late substitute for Bolton Wanderers who beat Burton Albion 1-0 on home soil.
Ashworth came on in second-half added time, replacing Randell Williams. Jasper Moon’s own goal in the early part of the second period settled the contest.
Three youngsters got more senior match minutes under their belts in Sky Bet League Two.
Striker Mo Faal started for Doncaster Rovers in their 3-0 triumph at home to MK Dons.
Faal was replaced by Tavonga Kuleya with just over 20 minutes of the clash remaining at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Efforts from Luke Molyneux, Joe Ironside and Tommy Rowe gave Rovers a comfortable three points.
Defender Ethan Ingram completed the first 45 minutes for Salford City who lost 3-0 at Accrington Stanley.
Declan John came on for Ingram at the Wham Stadium where Shaun Whalley’s strike and Jack Nolan’s brace earned the hosts an important victory.
Jamie Andrews’ Grimsby Town had a day to forget as they suffered a 6-1 reverse at home to Walsall.
Andrews played 79 minutes of the encounter before being swapped for Otis Khan. Danny Rose had given the hosts the lead, but the Saddlers hit back to record an emphatic win thanks to goals from Douglas James-Taylor, Isaac Hutchinson (2), Jack Earing, Priestly Farquharson and Danny Johnson.
Elsewhere, fellow academy graduates Reece Hall and Matt Richards were both unused substitutes for Hereford in the Vanarama National League North and Stourbridge in the Southern League Central Division respectively.
Hall’s Hereford drew 1-1 at home to Gloucester City, while Richards’ Glassboys lost 1-0 at home to Redditch United.
