U18s report: Brighton 2-1 Arsenal

Our under-18s suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.

After a goalless first half, we struck the opening blow when Abraham Owusu-Gyasi converted from close range following a corner.

But fine finishes from Daniel Rudin and Rafaelle Oppong saw the home side turn the game around to take the points.

FIRST HALF

The hosts started the game on the front foot and almost took the lead with the first chance of the match, but Jacob Parsons couldn't steer Morby's well-placed cross on target.

Morby had another chance 15 minutes later, collecting a slick pass from Brook Smith, but seeing his effort blocked by a well-timed challenge from Patrick Stachow.

The key moment of the first half came ten minutes before half-time, when Nwaneri received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Morby.

Brighton piled on the pressure with their man advantage, but were denied a first-half lead, with Juran McKayle hitting the post before Jack Talbot made a fantastic save to deny Finn Dzekawong.

SECOND HALF

We made a fast start in the second half, and came close to an opener when Maalik Hashi's cross was tipped away from Bowen Phillips by Brighton goalkeeper Liam Doyle.

Moments later, Owusu-Gyasi took matters into his own hands and charged forward from defence, making it to the edge of the Seagulls' penalty area before having his effort deflected behind for a corner.

But Owusu-Gyasi wasn't to be denied with his next opportunity, latching onto Hashi's corner to turn home the opening goal from close range.

Our lead was short-lived however, as Brighton quickly struck back through Rudin, who bent a stunning effort into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

But with eight minutes to go, Albion snatched the points when substitute Oppong fired in the winner from close range, with Jack Talbot receiving a red card for protesting the goal.

WHAT IT MEANS

Defeat to the Seagulls leaves us with one point from our first three games in the U18 Premier League South.

WHAT'S NEXT

After back-to-back away matches, our next two under-18s games take place on home turf at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

We first face Southampton next Saturday, September 5 (12pm UK) before taking on Crystal Palace on Saturday, September 12 (11am).

LINE-UPS

Brighton XI: Doyle, Morby (Cooper, 46'), Pope (Nneji, 80'), Brennan, Evans, Rudin, Dzekawong, Newnham-Reeve, Parsons, McKayle (Oppong, 75'), Smith

Subs: Wilson-Papps, Condy, Sanyang

Arsenal XI: Talbot, Owusu-Gyasi, Abubakar (Lo Presti, 85'), McCarron, Stachow, Murisa, Phillips (Frohock, 56'), Sampang (Yetna, 67'), Oba (Munoz, 56'), Hashi (Mbala, 85'), Nwaneri

Subs: Pedro, Purdy