Albion U21s 1 Manchester United U21s 0: Silsby's strike seals play-off success

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Shannon Ruth's side ended the season with a trophy after winning the PL2 play-off at the Amex.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-05-16T22:05+01:00

Tyler Silsby celebrates after scoring the only goal of the final. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Albion’s men’s under-21s’ season ended in triumph as they beat Manchester United at the Amex to win the Premier League 2 playoff final.

Tyler Silsby scored the only goal after 57 minutes with a close-range effort from Sean Keogh’s cross. And after that, victory was down to an epic rearguard action as the visitors pressed desperately for an equaliser.

Fireworks go off at the Amex as Albion lift the trophy. 📷Stuart Butcher

United, who had finished second in the regular-season table, looked good at times but too often picked the wrong final ball until the final minutes, when the ball seemed to be heading into Albion’s penalty area every few seconds.

It was an especially welcome outcome for Shannon Ruth’s team after the midweek disappointment of defeat on penalties to Three Bridges in the Sussex Senior Cup final on the same ground.

Three of the United squad – Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey and sub Chido Obi – had played in the Premier league for the Red Devils. Lacey, of course, had been sent off against Albion in this season’s FA Cup tie at Old Trafford after coming on as a substitute. Fletcher and his teammate and twin brother Tyler are the sons of Darren, the former United and Scotland midfielder and their under-18 side’s head coach.

Defender Ben Barclay made some crucial blocks late on to help preserve the lead. 📷Paul Hazlewood

But Albion had the better of the first half and could have gone ahead on several occasions with better finishing. Nehemiah Oriola, who joined Albion from United last July, forced a save from United goalkeeper William Murdock inside a minute with a fierce cross-shot.

Jack Fletcher had United’s first effort, flashing an angled shot high and wide. Then the same player set up Daniel Gore 15 yards out but he blazed his attempt high over the bar.

It was Sean Keogh whose cross created the winning goal for Albion. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Oriola was having success against United right back Jaydan Kamason, who had been on a yellow card since an early foul on Keogh, but a driven cross found no takers and another shot was wayward.

Yet Albion should have gone ahead after 26 minutes when Shane Nti’s pass sent Silsby clear of the defence, but he shot hurriedly and well wide. And within three minutes only a good block from goalkeeper Murdock foiled skipper Josh Robertson after he collected Oriola’s precise pass. Next it was Harry Howell’s turn to go close, his curling shot drifting inches over the bar.

An error by Noel Atom almost let United striker Victor Musa in as the interval approached, but the German defender did well to recover and block the forward’s shot. But United also had a let-off when Nti charged onto Sonny Aljofree’s under-hit backpass, only to chip his shot past the far post as Murdock advanced.

Callum Mackley looks for options. 📷Paul Hazlewood

And in the end it needed a fine diving save from Albion goalkeeper Sebastian Jensen to send the teams in level after Lacey had let fly from just inside the penalty area.

Albion finally took the lead after 57 minutes when Keogh’s low cross was missed by teammates and opponents alike, leaving Silsby with an empty net at the far post.

Now it was down to Albion to defend their hard-won lead and Ben Barclay came to the fore, winning a series of challenges as United pressed, none more important than a block from Obi when the substitute seemed certain to level with only Jensen to beat.