U18 Premier League: Brighton 0-1 Albion

U18s striker Layton Love in training

Leading talisman Layton Love scored the only goal of the game to send Albion's youngsters home with all three points from their U18 Premier League clash with Brighton on Saturday afternoon. 

Leigh Downing's men made their long trip down to the south coast worthwhile, as forward Love's ninth goal of the season 15 minutes from time ensured the young Baggies returned to the Black Country with their second league win of the campaign. 

It was a tightly-fought contest at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, with Archie Kirton and Tobias Hurlock going close with efforts for the visitors during the first 45. 

Both Hurlock and topscorer Love forced Seagulls keeper Hugo Fisher into saves after the break as Downing's men pushed for a winner, and through the same combination, they eventually found the decisive moment on 75 minutes. 

Archie Oliver showed good feet to find attacker Hurlock, who in turn sent Love through on goal, and the big forward remained cool to round Fisher in the Brighton goal before rolling the ball into the net. 

Inevitably, the young Baggies were under pressure during the closing stages, but they held firm to add three points to their tally in the U18 Premier League South.

Albion's U18s are next in action at the club's training ground on Saturday, November 26, when they host Leicester City (ko 11am).

Albion: Cisse, Williams, Humphries, Richards, Sumnall, Olofinjana, Kirton (Oluwatobi 75), Oliver, Love, Heard, Hurlock (Deeming 87). 

Substitutes not used: Hudd, Kone

  • U18s