BLACKBURN 0*
ALBION 0
*
- Albion play out a stalemate against Blackburn at Ewood Park.
- Jesse Starkey comes close to breaking the deadlock with a free-kick.
- Glen Rea denied in a one-on-one situation.
- Albion’s next match is away at Wolves on 9th March.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-21s played out a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers in an evenly-contested game at Ewood Park.
Interim coach Simon Rusk made five changes to the side defeated by Derby County, as Josh Smith, Danny Pappoe, Dessie Hutchinson, Jimmy Muitt and Chike Kandi all started the match.
*
Goalkeeper Harry Doherty, Charlie Harris and Jason Davis were named on the bench after not being involved in last week’s 2-1 defeat to the Rams.
*
The hosts had the first chance of the game when Hyuga Tanner played the ball out to Connor Mahoney on the edge of the box, but his shot went wide of Smith’s goal.
Bradley Barry had Albion’s first opportunity of note when he shot just wide of the target from 25 yards.
Bradley Bauress was next to threaten for Rovers with two strikes on goal, but the Albion defence did well to block both of his efforts.
Pappoe then had a chance to break the deadlock in emphatic fashion for Rusk’s side, but his speculative volley went past the post.
The first half continued with chances for both sides, as James Tilley's shot was saved by Rovers keeper David Raya-Martin before Smith made a fine stop to deny Mahoney.
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The Seagulls had the first clear-cut opportunity after the interval as Pappoe met Jesse Starkey’s corner, but his header went over the crossbar.Starkey then had a chance of his own to break the deadlock with a trademark, curling free-kick, but his effort went just a couple of yards past the post.
Kandi was next to threaten for Albion after breaking into the area, but he could only hit the side-netting from a tight angle.
The visitors then put the hosts under a sustained spell of pressure in search of a potentially decisive goal, as Glen Rea went one-on-one with Raya-Martin only to shoot straight at the keeper.
Harris attempted to beat Raya-Martin with a lob, but the keeper comfortably managed to collect the ball and the points were shared.
ALBION: Smith (GK), Barry, Pappoe, White, Hunt; Hutchinson, Rea, Muitt (Harris 67); Tilley (Davis 67), Starkey, Kandi (Deen 73). Subs not used: Doherty (GK), Barnett.
[h=3]ALBION V DERBY
[/h]TUESDAY 3RD MARCH, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V WOLVES
[/h]SATURDAY 14TH MARCH, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V NORWICH CITY
[/h]FRIDAY 3RD APRIL, KICK-OFF 3PM
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