One of my favourite new habits of last season was to spend many Friday evenings watching Brighton Under 21s playing in Premier League 2 games on the club’s YouTube channel.
And anyone at the Amex for the Ipswich Town game who did not spend their time on the concourse partaking in the various liquid refreshments on offer had the opportunity to catch up with the development squad match the previous evening via the big screens.
The Albion hosted Reading at the American Express Elite Performance Centre. Reading had won 3-0 on their previous visit to Lancing back in April but it was a different story on this occasion.
Although goalless in the first half, there were some seriously impressive performances by midfielders Yussif Owusu and Sahil Bashir.
Owusu looked very much adept in what I would call the Carlos Baleba role. Bashir was a constant threat down the wing.
I’ve rarely watched a game from Lancing and not been impressed by someone new, and this game was no exception.
The second half belonged to a more familiar name – Cameron Peupion. The Australia scored three very well taken goals, including one that began with him on the edge of the penalty area with his back to goal.
If Peupion can maintain the sort of form he showed in netting such an impressive hat-trick, he will surely play more first team football this season.
He has already made his Carabao Cup debut at Forest Green in August 2022, his Premier League debut at Newcastle in May 2023 with his first start coming at Wolves in the FA Cup back in February.
Peupion turns 22 on September 23rd. He has featured for the Australian U23 side but is eligible to switch to England or France if he chooses.
He returned from a loan at Cheltenham and travelled to Japan for the pre-season tour, where he was given game time alongside some of our new signings.
The fourth goal against Reading on Friday night came from possibly the hottest prospect in Albion’s academy teams, 16-year-old Harry Howell.
Howell is part of the great Sussex footballing dynasty; a cousin of Jack Hinshelwood, the son of former Arsenal youth player Jamie Howell and Adam Hinshelwood’s sister Carly.
Already called up by the England Under 16 and Under 17 squads – most recently for friendlies in Italy last month – Howell is tipped for a big future.
Several other Brighton U21 squad members featured in cup games or on the subs bench for the first team last season as the injury crisis mounted. Several of them have since been sent out on loan this season.
Josh Duffus and Imari Samuels are two that have stayed and could feature along with Peupion as the squad is rotated during congested periods.
The development sides now have their own account on X/Twitter. @BHAFC_Academy is where you can find a link to YouTube channel highlights of Friday night’s game, including the three brilliant Peupion goals.
You can also find those highlights on the Albion app MyAlbion TV video section. And if you want to catch the action live, season ticket holders can attend PL2 games at Lancing for free. Places do need to be booked in advance via the club website.
Hopefully there will be an opportunity for at least one U21 game at the Amex again this season for Shannon Ruth’s prospects to showcase their talents on a grander stage.
The Albion have such a good record over the past three seasons in giving opportunities to young players. It is well worth following who is making noise in PL2 under the Lancing lights on a Friday night.
Warren Morgan @WarrenBHAFC
