Mussels pleased with test against Albion youngsters

The Mussels fell to a 4-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18 side at Middle Road.

Albion’s young guns did all the damage in the first half as goals from David Ajiboye, with two, Reece Meekums and a Rob Allan own goal saw them take a 4-0 lead into the interval.

Shoreham improved in the second half and Melford Simpson bagged a late consolation for the home side.

Despite the defeat, Mussels boss Louis feels the test will stand his side in good stead for the new campaign.

He said: “We knew it was going to be a tough test against a team like that.

“We knew they would be good on the ball and well organised.

“But we wanted the test and it will stand us in good stead for the upcoming season.

“The first half was a little disappointing as we were slow out of the blocks.

“A few of the boys were in the headlights and struggled to get into it.

“But I had a chat with them at half-time and the second half was so much better.

“This will only benefit us as the new season approaches now.

“There were so many positives that I was able to take out of this game.

“The way I look at it is if we can perform like this against a team like that we should have no problems next season.

“They are a quality team with great players and this test will only aid us as the new season draws closer.

“What pleased me the most was the reaction from the side in the second half.

“We could easily have just let our heads drop after being four down at the break.

“But full credit to all the boys they battled hard and played some good football towards the end.

“It took us a little while to get used to the pace of the game but, in the end, I felt we matched them.”

Albion went ahead on 13 minutes when Jordan Maguire Drew’s cross was toe-poked home by Meekums.

It was the under-18 side who were in the ascendency after that point and should have doubled their lead nine minutes later.

Max Sanders showed some neat footwork on the edge of the box, before gaining half a yard and curling a right-foot shot towards goal but his effort cannoned back of the crossbar.

Albion did go two goals ahead on 31 minutes when Drew was once again the provider, with his cross diverted into his own net by Allan.

Ajiboye then netted twice in the final ten minutes of the half to make it 4-0 to put his side in compete control.

Shoreham were much-improved in the second period and created a number of opportunities.

Simpson blazed over from close range on 60 minutes, before the big frontman made up for that miss with four minutes left to make it 4-1.

SHOREHAM: Taylor; Stevens, Larin, Bell, Petrie; Miller, Fleming, Koroma, Hoose, Allan; Simpson. Subs: Goldson, Bichard, Trigwell.

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