AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
On Friday evening Albion U-18s host Cambridge United in the 4th round of the prestigious FA Youth Cup, the first time the team have progressed to this stage in five years. They did so with a convincing 2-0 win over Derby County in the 3rd round last month when they played some excellent football.
For those who don't pay close attention to Albion's youth team, the following players will be hoping to play a part:
Goalkeeper: Second year scholar George Hobbs seems to be out of the picture having played only 5 matches this season and not having featured since October. Therefore England U-17 international Tom McGill will likely start between the posts with U-16 George Bentley on the bench.
Defence: Albion have had issues in the centre of defence this season. Sam Golan, the tall American who joined the club as a first year scholar last season, returned from whence he came in the summer. First year Sam Rolph suffered a serious ankle injury in September and he only returned to the bench last Saturday. Danny Barker has been pushed into midfield in recent months which meant that Reading's first year, Jamal Balogun, came in on work experience. He was partnered initially by trialist Nikola Tavares (previously with Brentford, and who has now moved on to Crystal Palace) and then Tottenham's Joy Mukena. For the Derby tie Barker was back in the middle with Owen Moore (who is usually a right-back).
At right-back, Moore is the first choice but Archie Davies (normally a midfielder) has filled in there on occasion and Hamish Morrison made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Arsenal on Saturday.
At left-back, Republic of Ireland U-18 international Rian O'Sullivan has been the usual selection but first year scholar and England U-16 international Alex Cochrane is another option.
Midfield: For the Derby tie Jayson Molumby was brought back into the side for the first time in 12 months (having become a staple in the U-23s). His fellow countryman Danny Mandroiu was very impressive as he scored a penalty, put David Ajiboye away down the right which led to the second goal and generally was involved in most things Albion did going forward. Max Sanders (who has recently become a part of the U-23 squad) is likely to start and other competition for places comes from the two first years from Eastbourne, Isaac Hutchinson and Charlie Ferguson (who made his first start on Saturday), and Tyrese Fornah.
Attack: The fleet-footed David Ajiboye is a contender to start on the right-hand side and cause problems with his trickery and pace. On the left, Spaniard Luis Garcia was another who impressed in the Derby tie. Up front, Albion can no longer call upon Thomas Byrne who returned to Ireland in November. Reece Meekums suffered injury against Spurs in October and has since required surgery. That probably means that another Irishman, Aaron Connolly will lead the line, with Icelandic Stefan Ljubicic providing another option along with U-16 (and England international) Danny Cashman.
If you are in the vicinity of the Amex on Friday evening why not try to get along and witness the potential Albion first team stars of the future.
For those who don't pay close attention to Albion's youth team, the following players will be hoping to play a part:
Goalkeeper: Second year scholar George Hobbs seems to be out of the picture having played only 5 matches this season and not having featured since October. Therefore England U-17 international Tom McGill will likely start between the posts with U-16 George Bentley on the bench.
Defence: Albion have had issues in the centre of defence this season. Sam Golan, the tall American who joined the club as a first year scholar last season, returned from whence he came in the summer. First year Sam Rolph suffered a serious ankle injury in September and he only returned to the bench last Saturday. Danny Barker has been pushed into midfield in recent months which meant that Reading's first year, Jamal Balogun, came in on work experience. He was partnered initially by trialist Nikola Tavares (previously with Brentford, and who has now moved on to Crystal Palace) and then Tottenham's Joy Mukena. For the Derby tie Barker was back in the middle with Owen Moore (who is usually a right-back).
At right-back, Moore is the first choice but Archie Davies (normally a midfielder) has filled in there on occasion and Hamish Morrison made his first appearance of the season off the bench against Arsenal on Saturday.
At left-back, Republic of Ireland U-18 international Rian O'Sullivan has been the usual selection but first year scholar and England U-16 international Alex Cochrane is another option.
Midfield: For the Derby tie Jayson Molumby was brought back into the side for the first time in 12 months (having become a staple in the U-23s). His fellow countryman Danny Mandroiu was very impressive as he scored a penalty, put David Ajiboye away down the right which led to the second goal and generally was involved in most things Albion did going forward. Max Sanders (who has recently become a part of the U-23 squad) is likely to start and other competition for places comes from the two first years from Eastbourne, Isaac Hutchinson and Charlie Ferguson (who made his first start on Saturday), and Tyrese Fornah.
Attack: The fleet-footed David Ajiboye is a contender to start on the right-hand side and cause problems with his trickery and pace. On the left, Spaniard Luis Garcia was another who impressed in the Derby tie. Up front, Albion can no longer call upon Thomas Byrne who returned to Ireland in November. Reece Meekums suffered injury against Spurs in October and has since required surgery. That probably means that another Irishman, Aaron Connolly will lead the line, with Icelandic Stefan Ljubicic providing another option along with U-16 (and England international) Danny Cashman.
If you are in the vicinity of the Amex on Friday evening why not try to get along and witness the potential Albion first team stars of the future.
