Albion closed their Spanish tour with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon in Segovia at the Estadio Municipal la Albuera.
Ashley Barnes struck early on to give the Seagulls the lead, and that had looked to have been enough for victory, until a late flurry of action saw Sporting Gijon hit back with a Nacho Cases penalty, before Leo Ulloa struck late on with a header to clinch victory.
A minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters before kick-off, held in respect of former Sporting Gijon player Francisco Moreno Gomez, who played for the club in the 1960s and 1970s, and sadly died earlier today.
Liam Bridcutt made his first appearance under new head coach Oscar Garcia, having fully recovered from the foot problem which ruled him out of the pre-season curtain raiser at Whitehawk a fortnight ago and Wednesday night’s impressive 1-0 win over Getafe.
Fresh from agreeing a three-year deal with Albion last night, Oscar handed development squad trio of Rohan Ince, Courtney Richards, and Brennan Dickenson an opportunity to impress from the start.
Dickenson spearheaded a three-man attack – also featuring Barnes and Will Buckley – while Richards operated in a more advanced role than the one in which he impressed for the development squad last season, alongside Andrea Orlandi, with Bridcutt in his customary position in from of the back four.
Oscar has already outlined his footballing principles, but it was a classic route-one goal which gave Albion yet another early lead on Spanish soil. Peter Brezovan’s long kick forward caused hesitation amongst the Sporting Gijon defence, and Barnes punished them in emphatic style, controlling the ball and lashing home a venomous strike from the edge of the box.
In fairness to Albion’s Spanish opponents, they could argue the goal came against the run of play. Immediately prior to the opener the Seagulls were caught in possession, before skipper Gordon Greer took control. Then afterwards, Brezovan eventually claimed after a nervy few seconds of penalty-area pinball.
Gijon enjoyed plenty of possession as the half progressed, but without really troubling Brezovan as the Segunda Division side lacked real composure and a potent edge in the final third, and it was Albion who went closest to a second goal of the game.
They very nearly doubled their lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Orlandi’s free kick appeared to glance off defender Bennardo Espinosa and struck the left post.
Five minutes before the break the Spaniards had their best opening of the first half, but Brezovan stood tall to deny Javi Casquero, who broke through the Albion defence and found himself one-on-one with the big Slovakian, but the Albion keeper got enough on the ball to divert it behind for a corner kick. Central defender Sergio Allare got a good connection on the kick, but his powerful header flashed wide of the left post.
Oscar rang the changes at half-time, with only Ince returning for the second period, but switching to the midfield holding role. George Barker returned from the minor knock in training which had ruled him out on Wednesday, while Gijon made eight substitutions at the break.
One of those introductions Alex Barrera side footed over a half chance at close range just after the hour mark, which was the first sniff of goal either side had enjoyed in the second half; that was shortly followed by an incisive run and shot from fellow sub Cases, who cut in from the left, strode towards the edge of the box and drove a low shot which was easy for Casper Ankergren to gather.
With 20 minutes remaining Lewis Dunk went close with a firm header from Solly March’s corner, before Gijon broke and Ince was adjudged to have brought down Barrera as he attempted to skip through the Albion box – after some excellent work by left-winger Formose Mendy.
Before Cases stepped up and converted the kick – sending Ankergren the wrong way - with a measured pause in his run up. The youngster was shown a second yellow card and subsequent red for the tackle, having previously been booked earlier in the half, for stopping a quick free kick. However the referee allowed Albion to send Adam Chicksen back on for the last 15 minutes.
It was the first goal conceded in pre-season and despite Gijon enjoying plenty of possession, Albion had looked in command and unlikely to be breached until Ince’s mistimed tackle.
Albion hit back with two minutes to play after excellent work by Barker down the right wing. The fleet-footed striker scampered away and then forced a corner, expertly delivered by March for Ulloa to power home a header from close range and clinch another impressive win.
Albion first-half XI: Brezovan, El-Abd, Greer, Ince, Chicksen; Bridcutt, Richards, Orlandi; Buckley, Dickenson, Barnes.
Albion second-half XI: Ankergren, Calderon, Dunk, Upson, Maksimenko; Ince, Crofts, March; Barker, Ulloa, LuaLua.
Original article
Ashley Barnes struck early on to give the Seagulls the lead, and that had looked to have been enough for victory, until a late flurry of action saw Sporting Gijon hit back with a Nacho Cases penalty, before Leo Ulloa struck late on with a header to clinch victory.
A minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters before kick-off, held in respect of former Sporting Gijon player Francisco Moreno Gomez, who played for the club in the 1960s and 1970s, and sadly died earlier today.
Liam Bridcutt made his first appearance under new head coach Oscar Garcia, having fully recovered from the foot problem which ruled him out of the pre-season curtain raiser at Whitehawk a fortnight ago and Wednesday night’s impressive 1-0 win over Getafe.
Fresh from agreeing a three-year deal with Albion last night, Oscar handed development squad trio of Rohan Ince, Courtney Richards, and Brennan Dickenson an opportunity to impress from the start.
Dickenson spearheaded a three-man attack – also featuring Barnes and Will Buckley – while Richards operated in a more advanced role than the one in which he impressed for the development squad last season, alongside Andrea Orlandi, with Bridcutt in his customary position in from of the back four.
Oscar has already outlined his footballing principles, but it was a classic route-one goal which gave Albion yet another early lead on Spanish soil. Peter Brezovan’s long kick forward caused hesitation amongst the Sporting Gijon defence, and Barnes punished them in emphatic style, controlling the ball and lashing home a venomous strike from the edge of the box.
In fairness to Albion’s Spanish opponents, they could argue the goal came against the run of play. Immediately prior to the opener the Seagulls were caught in possession, before skipper Gordon Greer took control. Then afterwards, Brezovan eventually claimed after a nervy few seconds of penalty-area pinball.
Gijon enjoyed plenty of possession as the half progressed, but without really troubling Brezovan as the Segunda Division side lacked real composure and a potent edge in the final third, and it was Albion who went closest to a second goal of the game.
They very nearly doubled their lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Orlandi’s free kick appeared to glance off defender Bennardo Espinosa and struck the left post.
Five minutes before the break the Spaniards had their best opening of the first half, but Brezovan stood tall to deny Javi Casquero, who broke through the Albion defence and found himself one-on-one with the big Slovakian, but the Albion keeper got enough on the ball to divert it behind for a corner kick. Central defender Sergio Allare got a good connection on the kick, but his powerful header flashed wide of the left post.
Oscar rang the changes at half-time, with only Ince returning for the second period, but switching to the midfield holding role. George Barker returned from the minor knock in training which had ruled him out on Wednesday, while Gijon made eight substitutions at the break.
One of those introductions Alex Barrera side footed over a half chance at close range just after the hour mark, which was the first sniff of goal either side had enjoyed in the second half; that was shortly followed by an incisive run and shot from fellow sub Cases, who cut in from the left, strode towards the edge of the box and drove a low shot which was easy for Casper Ankergren to gather.
With 20 minutes remaining Lewis Dunk went close with a firm header from Solly March’s corner, before Gijon broke and Ince was adjudged to have brought down Barrera as he attempted to skip through the Albion box – after some excellent work by left-winger Formose Mendy.
Before Cases stepped up and converted the kick – sending Ankergren the wrong way - with a measured pause in his run up. The youngster was shown a second yellow card and subsequent red for the tackle, having previously been booked earlier in the half, for stopping a quick free kick. However the referee allowed Albion to send Adam Chicksen back on for the last 15 minutes.
It was the first goal conceded in pre-season and despite Gijon enjoying plenty of possession, Albion had looked in command and unlikely to be breached until Ince’s mistimed tackle.
Albion hit back with two minutes to play after excellent work by Barker down the right wing. The fleet-footed striker scampered away and then forced a corner, expertly delivered by March for Ulloa to power home a header from close range and clinch another impressive win.
Albion first-half XI: Brezovan, El-Abd, Greer, Ince, Chicksen; Bridcutt, Richards, Orlandi; Buckley, Dickenson, Barnes.
Albion second-half XI: Ankergren, Calderon, Dunk, Upson, Maksimenko; Ince, Crofts, March; Barker, Ulloa, LuaLua.
Original article