U18 Report: Tottenham Hotspur 6 Albion 4

Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18s were beaten 6-4 on the opening day of the Premier League South season, as the Seagulls played their part in an exhilarating game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Mikey Harris and Mark Beard’s team found themselves 2-0 and 3-1 up during the game at Hotspur Way, but an improved second-half performance from the hosts saw them claim all three points in a ten-goal thriller.

The game started so well for Albion as they found themselves in front after just nine minutes - Jayden Onen had a close-range header saved, but the winger followed up to break the deadlock.

The Seagulls doubled their lead in the 25th minute and it was Onen who got his name on the scoresheet again, as he broke down the right wing before slotting the ball past Spurs goalkeeper Jonathan De Bie.

The hosts reduced the deficit nine minutes later when Luis Binks headed towards goal at the back post - Albion almost cleared the ball off the goal line, but the match officials awarded a goal to the London club.

But moments after Spurs had given themselves hope of a comeback, Albion restored their two-goal advantage through Stefan Vukoje, as he fired a powerful shot in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 3-1.

The frenetic contest continued and Tottenham pulled another goal back on 42 minutes through Troy Parrott, before a Paris Maghoma header deep into first-half stoppage time levelled the game at 3-3.

The Seagulls found themselves on the back foot after returning for the second half, and Spurs took the lead for the first time, as Maghoma sealed his brace with an impressive solo effort in the 53rd minute.

Albion had gone from 3-1 up to 4-3 down and their disappointment was clear to see - but things would get worse for the Seagulls as substitute Brooklyn Lyons-Foster added a fifth goal just after the hour mark.

The home side found their rhythm and continued to apply pressure in the closing stages, as J’Neil Bennett curled a sixth goal to make it 6-3, which all but killed off any chance of an Albion fightback.

Onen completed his hat-trick with a consolation goal shortly before the full-time whilstle, but it wasn’t enough for the Seagulls, as they left north London empty-handed.

ALBION: Bentley; Packham, Clark-Eden (Tutt 85), Roberts, Tanimowo (Weaire 76); Vukoje, Leonard (Tolaj 62), Shihab, Spong; Onen, Cashman.

Subs not used: Rees (GK), Everitt.