Albion stun Spurs in FA Youth Cup thriller

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Albion cruised into the fourth round.

Luke Nicoli

2025-12-16T21:15+00:00

Billy-Ray Cullinane scored a late blockbuster. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Albion booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup following a thrilling 5-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

A brace each from Adam Brett and Harry Howell, along with a later stunner from sub Billy-Ray Cullinane secured victory for the Seagulls in a pulsating game that was a credit to both sets of players.

Having beaten Spurs 4-1 in the league last Saturday, Albion came into the game – played at Stevenage FC – with plenty of confidence but it was the hosts who created the game's first chance when Reiss Elliot-Parris burst free, only to see his effort saved by the feet of William Rutter.

The Spurs striker made amends in the ninth minute, however, when he pounced on a backpass from Cristiano Anah before slotting home.

Adam Brett netted a brace in the win over Spurs. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Albion responded just five minutes later when a superb passing move resulted in Howell heading home a Jackson Morby right-wing cross from close range.

Spurs looked the more dangerous side breaking forward and their lead was restored in the 30th minute when Tynan Thompson cut in to net with an effort that deflected off the heel of Jesse Middleton.

Again, the lead lasted only a matter of minutes although the equaliser this time came in somewhat fortuitous circumstances when Brett's byline cross from the left somehow looped over Spurs keeper Dylan Thompson and was adjudged to have crossed the line.

There was still time for more action in a thrilling half of football when a Younes Ibrahim free-kick was met at the far post by Tate Ferdinand. Thompson failed to hold onto the downward header and in the resulting goalmouth scramble, Brett reacted first to drill the ball home.

The chances continued after the break, with Freddie Simmonds heading straight at Thompson while Tyler Silsby fired a free-kick over the bar.

At the other end Miracle Adewole had a close-range effort well saved from Rutter, with Elliot-Parris unable to take advantage from the rebound.

Harry Howell scored twice on the night - once from the penalty spot. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

As the minutes ticked by, Spurs pushed hard for the equaliser, with Luca Williams-Barnett flashing an effort across the face of goal.

Albion made the game safe three minutes from time when Morby was brought down by Jun'ai Byfield. The referee pointed to the spot and Howell made no mistake with the resulting spot kick.

But if that wasn't enough for the rampant Seagulls, sub Cullinane put the icing on the cake with a superb 25-yard curling effort just seconds before full-time.

Nine goals in two games against Spurs. A superb week for Bjorn Hamberg's side.

Albion: Rutter, Morby, Simmonds, Ferdinand, Anah (70 Ademola), Middleton, Howell, Brennan (59 Palmer A), Brett (81 Parsons), Ibrahim (81 Kasvosve), Silsby (Cullinane). Subs not used: Taylor, Palmer B.