Three strikes in 16 first-half minutes secured Albion’s under-21s the Roy Hayden Memorial Trophy, with a 3-1 win over Peacehaven.A goal within the first minute from Brennan Dickenson gave Albion an early lead, and a Courtney Richards penalty doubled the advantage on 12 minutes.
George Barker stroked home shortly afterwards to put Simon Ireland’s side into an unassailable lead before Joshua Jones pulled one back for the Magpies.
But despite a strong fight, Albion proved too much for their opponents as they safely saw out the second half to seal victory.
The game was merely 40 seconds old when Albion went ahead. Dickenson’s whipped cross squirming through the hands of Antony DiBernado at the near post to give Ireland’s side the perfect start.
Dickenson came close to a swift second as Lewis Dunk’s sweeping long ball drew DiBernado off his line; stranded outside his area the keeper opted to head away the danger but only into the path of the Albion forward. However the keeper redeemed himself by get a big enough hand on the lob, although he still required the help of Craig Richards to nod the ball off the line.
Peacehaven were enduring a torrid start and when Bradley Barry was tripped in the box, the Seagulls were presented with an opportunity to double their advantage, which was confidently dispatched by Courtney Richards.
Events got worse for the Ryman League side but continued to improve for Albion as Jimmy Muitt’s inch-perfect cross was coolly directed home by Barker at the far post.
Christian Walton had already taken some routine catches but it took 23 minutes for Peacehaven to properly test the keeper when Joshua Jones’s stinging left-foot strike was parried away.
Ireland’s side were still in control but a swift break saw the Magpies cut the deficit. Steve Metcalf’s in-swinging cross was brilliantly glanced in by Joshua Jones, and just moments later Jamie Brotherton almost made it 3-2, but miscued his close-range effort.
The start of the second half was quieter than the first, but Peacehaven missed a glorious opportunity to close the gap as Ashley Jones headed wide, whilst DiBernado was quick off his line again just seconds later to halt Muitt’s run.
Both keepers were at full stretch in quick succession to deny efforts from Metcalf and Barry as the score remained at 3-1.
As the game wore on chances were at a premium, but Albion responded from their defeat against Southampton with a professional display.
Original article
George Barker stroked home shortly afterwards to put Simon Ireland’s side into an unassailable lead before Joshua Jones pulled one back for the Magpies.
But despite a strong fight, Albion proved too much for their opponents as they safely saw out the second half to seal victory.
The game was merely 40 seconds old when Albion went ahead. Dickenson’s whipped cross squirming through the hands of Antony DiBernado at the near post to give Ireland’s side the perfect start.
Dickenson came close to a swift second as Lewis Dunk’s sweeping long ball drew DiBernado off his line; stranded outside his area the keeper opted to head away the danger but only into the path of the Albion forward. However the keeper redeemed himself by get a big enough hand on the lob, although he still required the help of Craig Richards to nod the ball off the line.
Peacehaven were enduring a torrid start and when Bradley Barry was tripped in the box, the Seagulls were presented with an opportunity to double their advantage, which was confidently dispatched by Courtney Richards.
Events got worse for the Ryman League side but continued to improve for Albion as Jimmy Muitt’s inch-perfect cross was coolly directed home by Barker at the far post.
Christian Walton had already taken some routine catches but it took 23 minutes for Peacehaven to properly test the keeper when Joshua Jones’s stinging left-foot strike was parried away.
Ireland’s side were still in control but a swift break saw the Magpies cut the deficit. Steve Metcalf’s in-swinging cross was brilliantly glanced in by Joshua Jones, and just moments later Jamie Brotherton almost made it 3-2, but miscued his close-range effort.
The start of the second half was quieter than the first, but Peacehaven missed a glorious opportunity to close the gap as Ashley Jones headed wide, whilst DiBernado was quick off his line again just seconds later to halt Muitt’s run.
Both keepers were at full stretch in quick succession to deny efforts from Metcalf and Barry as the score remained at 3-1.
As the game wore on chances were at a premium, but Albion responded from their defeat against Southampton with a professional display.
Original article