Tom Dallison
Image by: Paul Hazlewood
PUBLISHED
15:37 11th February 2015
by James Hilsum
GILLINGHAM 0ALBION 0
Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-21s exited the Final Third Development League Cup after a goalless draw at Gillingham.
*
The draw means Albion finished the group stages with six points from five games, after heading into the final fixture with the Gills knowing nothing but a victory would do if they were to reach the knock-out stages.
*
The first 15 minutes were rather cagey with few goalscoring opportunities for either side; Jesse Starkey and former Seagull Brennan Dickenson both had half chances in an otherwise uneventful start to the match.
*
The game livened up towards the end of the first half when Josh Smith made a fine save to keep out Antonio German’s header from Dickenson’s corner, before Charlie Harris struck the bar with a trademark strike from distance.
LATEST NEWS FROM SEAGULLS.CO.UK
- REPORT: CARDIFF 0 ALBION 0
- U21 REPORT: ALBION 0 WEST BROM 0
- STEPHENS RETURNING A STRONGER PERSON
- SEAGULLS OVER LONDON THIS THURSDAY
- HUGHTON HAILS HARD EARNED POINT
The hosts created an opening within seconds of the restart, as Dickenson had another effort kept out by a strong stop from Smith before German then made a cross-field pass towards Mahlon Romeo, but the latter fired a shot over the crossbar from close range.
*
German was one of the main threats for the Kent side going forward and could have broken the deadlock from Dickenson’s corner only to see his shot go over.
*
Devante McCain was next to try his luck for the Gills, but Smith continued his fine performance with another save before the Albion defence cleared their lines.
*
Despite Gillingham’s pressure, the Seagulls held on for a draw and kept a second clean sheet in as many matches but a point was not enough to keep Albion in the competition.ALBION: Smith; Barry, Dallison, Rea, Hunt; Cole (Monakana 65), Wiltshire, Harris; Deen (Fenelon 60), Starkey, Muitt (Kandi 60). Subs not used: Doherty (GK), Davis.
[h=3]ALBION V BIRMINGHAM
[/h]SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V LEEDS
[/h]TUESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V DERBY
[/h]TUESDAY 3RD MARCH, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
Original article