- Albion are beaten 4-1 by Derby County
- Jack Stretton (2) Morgan Whittaker, and Jason Knight on target for Derby
- Jack Spong scores for Albion
- The Seagulls are next in action against Chelsea on Saturday
Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18s succumbed to defeat after being beaten 4-1 by Derby County at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.
Jack Spong gave Albion the lead, but Jack Stretton’s brace and a goal each from Morgan Whittaker and Jason Knight gave Derby an ultimately convincing victory.
Spong broke the deadlock when he latched onto a ball over the Derby defence and saw his goalbound effort take a deflection before beating Sam French in the Rams goal.
Stretton then provided two finishes in the space of 20 minutes to give the visitors the lead.
Whittaker added a third for the Rams when Knight raced into the Albion half and squared the ball into him to make it 3-1.
The Seagulls ended the match with ten men when Julien Carre was sent off for an off-the-ball incident and Knight made it 4-1 to make the ten-man advantage count.
Albion’s attentions will now turn to match against Chelsea at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre next Saturday.
ALBION: Rees; Packham, Clark-Eden (Shihab 82), Roberts, Longman (Tutt 68); Leonard, Weaire, Carre, Vukoje (Wilson 68); Cashman, Spong.
SUBS NOT USED: Zalewski (GK), Tanimowo.