Under-21s beaten in final Vertu Trophy game

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Narrow defeat for Albion against Cambridge United.

Luke Nicoli

2025-11-05T21:11+00:00

Brighton's defeat sees them knocked out of the competition. 📷 by Cambridge United.

Our men's under-21s brought their participation in the Vertu Trophy to an end with a 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United.

It also ended a gruelling run of five away games that took in trips as far away as Truro and Leeds United.

Head coach Shannon Ruth was forced to field another young side – with an entire bench made up of scholars – and 18-year-old keeper Nils Ramming was called into action as early as the third minute, pulling off a fine save to deny James Gibbons.

The deadlock was then broken in Cambridge’s very next attack when former Premier League player Elias Kachunga powered down the left flank. His low cross flashed across the six-yard box before being tucked home by Adam Mayor.

Nils Ramming denied Cambridge early on. 📷 by Cambridge United.

As the half wore on, Albion enjoyed promising spells of possession, with Aidan West testing home keeper Ben Hughes with a low effort from the edge of the box. However, Cambridge still possessed a goal threat, with Gibbons again bringing a good save out of Ramming.

The second half was another even affair, if short on clear-cut chances, with Ben Knight firing over shortly after the restart for the hosts, while Seagulls substitute Adam Brett almost pounced on a spill from Hughes.

Joe Belmont also tried his luck with a shot on the turn, and although seven minutes of added-on time were called – mainly due to treatment received by Yussif Owusu which eventually forced the midfielder to limp off – Albion couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Adam Brett went close in the second half. 📷 by Cambridge United.

After clocking up the miles, Ruth’s side will no doubt be looking forward to a return to home soil on Sunday, with Manchester City the visitors in Premier League 2.

Albion: Ramming, Mackley, Barclay, Atom, Keogh (88 Ferdinand), Hayden (82 Morby), Middleton, Owusu (88 Brennan), Belmont (82 Kasvosve), West (63 Brett), Ibrahim.