Match Reports

Albion bow out of Europe after penalty miss

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Albion’s under-23s bowed out of the Premier League International Cup after they were held to a goalless draw by Valencia at the American Express Elite Performance Centre this evening.

By Bruce Talbot • 18 December 2019

By Paul Hazlewood
Danny Cashman fires at goal.

Simon Rusk’s men looked to have won it late on when they were awarded a penalty but Peter Gwargis, who had scored in his two previous appearances, was denied by a great save from Valencia goalkeeper Emilio Bernad. 

Although Valencia carried a threat on the counter attack, the Seagulls spent much of the night on the front foot but the goal wouldn’t come. It means they cannot now progress from Group B, although they still have one match to play against Wolfsburg in January.

It was win or bust as far as the competition is concerned for Albion and they made a good start, despite horrendous conditions with heavy rain driven on by a strong wind. 

Danny Cashman and Gwargis had early efforts at goal before Tom McGill was tested for the first time in the 12th minute when he held an effort from Pablo Jiminez.

By Paul Hazlewood
Peter Gwargis takes on the Valencia defence.

Both sides kept possession well and the Spanish side were quick to get men behind the ball when Albion threatened although they were nearly undone by a fantastic run by Romaric Yapi midway through the first half. He picked up possession just outside his own penalty area and surged down the right-hand side but Cashman just couldn’t get enough power as he slid in at the far post to connect with the cross.

Cashman fired wide of the left-hand post as Albion upped the tempo before Gwargis went desperately close to breaking the deadlock in the 29th minute when he found space on the left-hand side of the six-yard box and his low shot was cleared off the line by Guillem Molina.

Valencia hit back and they had the best chance of the first half in the 41st minute when Alfred Planas clipped a free kick over the bar from 22 yards. 

Teddy Jenks came on for Andrew Crofts at the break and there were chances at both ends in the space of a minute early in the second half.

By Paul Hazlewood
Andrew Crofts issues instructions during the first half.

Antonio Garcia stabbed an inviting cross wide from close range then Albion broke and Bojan Radulovic’s header from Alex Cochrane’s cross was deflected wide before Warren O’Hora almost scrambled the resultant corner in at the far post.

Albion brought on Lorent Tolaj with 25 minutes to go as they pressed for a breakthrough but Valencia nearly broke the deadlock in the 76th minute when they broke quickly and worked the ball to Jiminez, who cut inside onto his left foot but fired wastefully over.

With five minutes to go Albion wasted their best chance of the night. Jenks’ trickery and awareness enabled him to find Cashman in the box and he was brought down by Guillem Molina as he tried to shoot. Referee Dale pointed to the spot, but goalkeeper Emilio Bernad got down well to his left to push the penalty away. 

Jenks had his head in his hands a few moments later when a volley from outside the box took a deflection and went inches wide. It was that sort of night for Albion who are back in action after the Christmas break in Premier League 2 at Blackburn on 6th January. 

Albion line-up: McGill, Yapi, Cochrane, Baluta, O’Hora, Gwargis, Crofts (Jenks 45), J.Davies, Richards, Radulovic (Tolaj 64), Cashman. 

Subs not used: Desbois (GK), Freestone, Tsoungui, Spong, Vukoje.

05:33

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U23 highlights: Albion 0 Valencia 0