ALBION* 0WEST HAM* 3
Barclay (OG) 53
Parfitt-Williams 56
Brown 76
A spirited Brighton & Hove Albion under-18 side were defeated 3-0 by a strong West Ham United side.
The first half was a tight contest between two of the division’s in-form sides, with Albion displaying great composure on the ball to withstand the Hammers' high-pressing game.
Their calmness in possession also allowed the home side to launch dangerous counter attacks, as Connor Tighe hit the crossbar with a left-footed strike after Will Collar's hard work down the left flank created the chance for the winger in the 12th minute.
The Seagulls again went close to taking a first-half lead when left-back Dylan Barnett also broke down the left wing, before sending a tantalising low ball across the goalmouth, only to see it trickle past the far post.
At the other end, West Ham's forwards were struggling to breach the Seagulls' defence, as the likes of Ben Barclay and Ben White stood strong, making a number of well-timed tackles and crucial blocks to keep the scores level.
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Shortly after the interval however, the deadlock was broken. Strong running from West Ham's Alex Pike resulted in a low delivery which found the net after an unfortunate ricochet off* Barclay, shortly before Djair Parfitt-Williams doubled the visitors’ lead with a strong run and finish.Simon Rusk's side remained determined though, and continued to create chances; substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew looked lively, forcing a good save from West Ham keeper Sam Howes with a curling free kick.
But the Hammers added gloss to their victory when Jordan Brown found himself one-on-one with Harry Doherty, before placing the ball just out of his reach.
Brown had a chance to add to West Ham’s lead, but Seagulls keeper Doherty produced a wonderful save to deny the United player from the spot, after a penalty had been awarded for a foul by Barclay.
ALBION: Doherty (GK); Courtney (Maguire-Drew 55), White, Barclay, Barnett (Cox 75); Collar, Wiltshire, Hutchinson; Tighe (Mar-Larusson on 60), Pring, Jack Rowe-Hurst. Subs not used: Hobbs, Mayers
[h=2]UPCOMING HOME FIXTURES[/h][h=3]ALBION V MIDDLESBROUGH
[/h]SATURDAY 18TH OCTOber, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V ROTHERHAM
[/h]SATURDAY 25th OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]Albion v WIGAN
[/h]tuESDAY 4TH NOVEMber, kick-off 7:45pm
Original article