- Albion’s under-23s progress to the third round
- Josh Kerr’s late goal wins the game
- Stefan Ljubicic strikes the woodwork in the first half
- The Seagulls play Hastings United in the next round
Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-23s sealed their place in the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup this evening, after Josh Kerr’s 90th-minute strike sealed a 1-0 victory over Lewes at The Dripping Pan.
With extra time beckoning, following an evenly-contested match, Kerr produced a moment of quality to find the back of the net and set up a third-round clash against Hastings United.
James Tilley created Albion’s first opportunity of the game inside the opening five minutes, but his low-driven effort from 20 yards was comfortably dealt with by Lewes shot-stopper Lewis Carey.
Alex Cochrane then whipped a cross towards the front post, which Stefan Ljubicic stooped to head at goal, but Carey was there again to deny Albion’s lone striker.
After being denied from close range, Ljubicic then tried his luck from long distance and saw his ferocious effort cannon back off the woodwork, before Ryan Longman’s delivery grazed the crossbar soon after.
Another cross from Cochrane caused trouble for the hosts at the back post, but after showing strength to beat his marker to the ball, Longman’s bullet header sailed narrowly over the bar.
The Seagulls then pounced on a poor touch in the middle of the park and James Tilley slipped a pass through for Longman on the right-hand side of the penalty area, only to see the winger drill a low shot just wide.
The teams returned after the break and Omarr Lawson had the home side’s first notable shot on goal from 25 yards, but Billy Collings kept his eye on the forward’s swerving effort to claim the ball.
Lewes grew into the game as the second half played out, but both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in front of goal, as possession continued to pass hands in the middle third of the pitch.
Archie Davies then found himself racing through on goal with just Carey to beat, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by the Lewes goalkeeper, who charged off his line to apply pressure.
The match looked destined for extra time, as the clock reached the 90th minute, but Kerr showed excellent composure to pick out the bottom corner from Cochrane’s perfectly-weighted pass to seal a place in the next round.
ALBION: Collings; Tomlinson, O’Hora, Kerr, Cochrane; Roberts, A.Davies; Tilley (Packham 60), J.Davies, Longman (Carre 46); Ljubicic.
Subs not used: Rees (GK), Spong, Shihab.