PUBLISHED
21:19 2nd December 2013
ALBION ************3
Chicksen 23, Dickenson 52, Maguire-Drew 55MILLWALL ******* 1
Bender 16
An impressive display saw Albion’s under-21s come from behind to defeat Millwall 3-1 at Culver Road.
Simon Ireland’s side recovered from the early setback to hit three goals without reply to earn a deserved third straight victory in all competitions.
The visitors grabbed the advantage as Jack Powell’s corner was met by Tom Bender who fired home first time from close range.
The youthful Albion side didn’t let their heads drop though and a moment of brilliance from Adam Chicksen brought parity. Solly March’s determined run created the space before teeing up the left-back, who took one touch and unleashed an unstoppable effort past Denzel Gerrar.
March then almost handed the hosts the lead after rounding Gerrar, but his strike from an acute angle was hacked off the line to keep the scores at 1-1.
Albion were the side in ascendancy, dominating terrority and possession, and Charlie Harris was next to come close as he drilled narrowly wide.
Ireland’s men continued in the same vein after the break and when Gerrar failed to deal with Robin Deen’s cross, Brennan Dickenson smashed home the loose ball to make it 2-1.
Albion soon extended their lead when 15-year-old Jordan Maguire-Drew – making his debut at this level - latched onto a wayward defensive pass and calmly slotted past Gerrer.
And the youngster almost added his second and the Seagulls’ fourth shortly afterwards but was unable to apply the connection needed to direct March’s fierce cross home.
March then skewed a strike off target as Albion continued their search for a fourth before Millwall came close through Ben Thompson’s dipping long-range effort.
However the damage had been done and the Seagulls ran out deserved victors.
Albion: Walton; Rea, Dunk, Maksimenko (Dallison 26), Chicksen; Harris (Richards 65), Deen, Asmundsson; Dickenson, March, Maguire-Drew (Muitt 76). Subs not used: Smith, Barnett.
Original article