U18 Report: Brighton 2-2 Saints

Early first-half strikes from Joe Belmont and Remiero Moulton put Brighton ahead at half-time.

However, Saints returned for the second period refocused and fully deserved their comeback courtesy of two goals in two minutes from Will Merry and Josh Pitts.

It was Brighton who had the first chance of the contest when full-back Charlie Tasker met a cross to the back post but side-footed wide.

The fast start from the hosts then brought the first goal of the match. Striker Joe Belmont met another cross from the left wing and headed home from close range.

It was 2-0 with 12 minutes played as Brighton intercepted a pass close to the Saints area and worked the ball to Remiero Moulton, who provided the calm finish across goal.

Saints found some rhythm as the first-half went on, and Moses Sesay had their first shot on goal when he collected a cutback from Will Merry and curled over the bar.

With Brighton looking to add a third, Saints goalkeeper Josh Jeffries was then forced into a smart save shortly before half-time when he turned Joe Belmont’s strike wide at the near post.

Josh Jeffries made some vital saves in the first half. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)

Jeffries then produced a superb double save – first stopping Ronnie Gorman’s shot as the winger moved in from the right and then getting back up to stop striker Belmont again as he met the rebounded ball with a header.

A very strong start to the second-half from Saints soon saw them half their deficit.

Pressure on Brighton’s players had started to worry the hosts and Saints winger Merry did well to win back possession, before finding the perfect finish into the far corner via the post.

Just two minutes later, it was 2-2. Substitute Alejandro Gomes was providing some strong running down the right after coming on at the break and his cross was turned home by Pitts from close range.

The game had became very open and chances were being created at both ends.

Brighton’s Zane Albarus saw his shot deflected into the hands of Jeffries, who then distributed brilliantly out to Merry on the left, leading to the Saints man curling his effort narrowly wide.

Saints looked as though they believed a winner was coming in the latter stages if they continued to push; Pitts went within a whisker of completing the turnaround when he saw his free-kick clip the top of the bar.

Josh Pitts equalised and almost found a late winner.

Brighton were also looking for a winner and they also hit the bar when Moulton bent a first time shot after being played into a shooting position in the right side of the box.

There was still time for Moulton to force another excellent save from Jeffries late on as both sides had to settle for a point.

Saints are in action in the Under-18s Premier League again when they host Norwich City at Staplewood on Saturday 16th September, with kick-off at 11am.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Ferdinand, Tasker, Mills, Mackley, Penman, Albarus (c), Gorman, Gulzar, (Oriola 62), Belmont, Nti (Owusu 62), Moulton.

Subs not used: Lee, Mansell, Lewis.

Goals: Belmont 4, Moulton 12.

Yellow cards: Nti 57, Mackley 69.

Saints: Jeffries, Williams, Dobson-Ventura (Sewell 83), Moore, Sheaf, Andrews (c) (Bailey 78), Sillah Dibaga (Gomes Rodriguez 45), Sesay (Myers 45), Pitts, Oyekunle, Merry.

Subs not used: Upstell.

Yellow cards: Williams 71, Andrews 76.