Match Reports

Albion advance in Senior Cup with comfortable win

Youngsters into next stage of the competition after victory over Bexhill United.

By Alex Stedman • 15 December 2020

Ulrick Ella netted a brace in a 6-1 win for Albion over Bexhill United.

Albion are into the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup after a 6-1 victory over Bexhill United at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre on Tuesday night.

A brace from Ulrick Ella and one each for Zak Emmerson, Jaami Qureshi, Todd Miller and Marcus Ifill sealed a well-deserved win for the young Albion outfit against senior opposition.

The home side took a third minute lead. Jack Leahy raced away down the left and his cross was nodded home at the near post by Ella to give Albion an early advantage.

By Paul Hazlewood
Ulrick Ella gave Albion the lead after just three minutes.

The visitors had a glorious chance to draw level on 19 minutes when Jack McLean was well-found in behind, but the midfielder fired his effort into Adam Desbois' side-netting.

That miss was to prove costly for Bexhill as Albion doubled their advantage three minutes later.

Leahy delivered a free kick into the box, and when the visitors failed to clear, Emmerson swept the ball underneath the visiting keeper to extend Albion's lead. 

Miller's effort whistled wide of the post three minutes before the break and Leahy, who had looked dangerous throughout the opening period, then saw a shot well-held before the referee brought the first half to a close.

The second half had a quieter opening than the first, and it took until just after the hour-mark for a clear opening for the home side.

Qureshi drove at the away defence and let fly and his effort whistled over the bar, but the midfielder would soon get himself on the scoresheet.

By Paul Hazlewood
Jaami Qureshi celebrates after adding a third for Albion.

Substitute Zak Sturge got free on the left and crossed for Qureshi who had the simple task of guiding the ball into the back of the net.

Albion kept up the pressure and Miller's low effort came back off the post with 20 minutes left to play.

Bexhill pulled a goal back on 74 minutes. Nathan Jenkins was penalised for a foul on Evan Archibald and the striker picked himself up to beat Desbois from the spot.

The home side restored their three-goal cushion almost immediately though, as Miller stylishly found the bottom corner from the right-hand corner of the area.

Ella then grabbed his second and Albion's fifth on 79 minutes, steering the ball home via a deflection to put the result beyond any doubt.

There was time for a sixth goal in the closing stages too.

By Paul Hazlewood
Marcus Ifill got in on the action late on as he found the back of the net after combining with Cameron Peupion.

Substitutes Cameron Peupion and Ifill combined before the latter swept home and the game was brought to a close.

Albion line-up: Desbois (GK); Nilsson (Sturge 63), Jackson, Offiah, Leahy; Miller, Jenkins, Collyer (Ifill 70), Qureshi; Ella, Emmerson (Peupion 63).

Subs not used: Bull (GK), Dackers.