AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
Albion U-18s host Leeds United at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre tomorrow (Saturday) in the 4th round of the FA Youth Cup (the most prestigious of the competitions for the U-18s). Albion won 4-1 at Harrogate Town at the end of November in the third round while the Whites beat Norwich City 2-0 (just six days after Albion had been thrashed by the Canaries 6-1 at home).
Of course, player development is always the name of the game in the academy but the U-18s' season has been somewhat mediocre so far in terms of results; they sit 9th (out of 13 teams) in the U-18 Premier League South with 12 points. Leeds play in the U-18 Premier League North and currently sit 6th with 17 points (having played a couple more matches).
Albion actually played Leeds last season in the group stages of the U-18 Premier League Cup and won 4-0, with two goals from Harry Mills and one each from Bailey Smith and Jaydon Fuller.
Albion should have a pretty full squad to choose from. Joe Knight and Remiero Moulton started for the U-21s against Zagreb on Wednesday but were subbed in the second half and should be available; U-16 pair Freddie Simmonds and Harry Howell also started in that match but likewise should be available for selection. Centre-back Charlie Penman had a very promising first scholar year in 2022-23 and even made some appearances for the U-21s but he has missed playing time recently with injury; he returned as a sub last week so hopefully will be in the mix. Jaydon Fuller also returned last week after being out for 13 months so probably won't be in the squad.
Here is the potential starting line-up tomorrow:-
Lorenz Ferdinand; Charlie Tasker, Charlie Penman, Freddie Simmonds (U-16), Harry Mills; Zane Albarus, Joe Knight, Sahil Bashir; Harry Howell (U-16), Joe Belmont, Remiero Moulton.
Subs to be selected from:-
Alfie Mansell (GK), Harry Lee, Jacob Vickers, Corbin Mthunzi, Yussif Moro Owusu, Callum Mackley, Ronnie Gorman, Layth Gulzar, Shane Nti, Nehemiah Oriola and Aidan West.
Of course, player development is always the name of the game in the academy but the U-18s' season has been somewhat mediocre so far in terms of results; they sit 9th (out of 13 teams) in the U-18 Premier League South with 12 points. Leeds play in the U-18 Premier League North and currently sit 6th with 17 points (having played a couple more matches).
Albion actually played Leeds last season in the group stages of the U-18 Premier League Cup and won 4-0, with two goals from Harry Mills and one each from Bailey Smith and Jaydon Fuller.
Albion should have a pretty full squad to choose from. Joe Knight and Remiero Moulton started for the U-21s against Zagreb on Wednesday but were subbed in the second half and should be available; U-16 pair Freddie Simmonds and Harry Howell also started in that match but likewise should be available for selection. Centre-back Charlie Penman had a very promising first scholar year in 2022-23 and even made some appearances for the U-21s but he has missed playing time recently with injury; he returned as a sub last week so hopefully will be in the mix. Jaydon Fuller also returned last week after being out for 13 months so probably won't be in the squad.
Here is the potential starting line-up tomorrow:-
Lorenz Ferdinand; Charlie Tasker, Charlie Penman, Freddie Simmonds (U-16), Harry Mills; Zane Albarus, Joe Knight, Sahil Bashir; Harry Howell (U-16), Joe Belmont, Remiero Moulton.
Subs to be selected from:-
Alfie Mansell (GK), Harry Lee, Jacob Vickers, Corbin Mthunzi, Yussif Moro Owusu, Callum Mackley, Ronnie Gorman, Layth Gulzar, Shane Nti, Nehemiah Oriola and Aidan West.
