BRIGHTON SUFFER A 2-1 DEFEAT IN FINAL HOME GAME OF THE SEASON

Brighton U23s lose to Chelsea at the Amex as Moran's deflected goal isn't enough on the night. Hall gave the Blues the lead before Wareham extended it from 12 yards.

Last night Brighton faced Chelsea in the PL2 Division 1. One side hoping to climb the table, whilst the other was attempting to avoid relegation.

Despite Brighton dominating the opening stages of the game it was Chelsea who scored first. Brooking claimed the assist with a clipped cross towards Lewis Hall, who scored a straightforward header past McGill.

The score remained 1-0 going into the break, and in the second half Brighton again came out all guns blazing in search for the equaliser. Unfortunately for the Seagulls, they weren’t able to take their chances, and later conceded a penalty which would see Chelsea double their lead.

Andrew Moran got the home side back into the game via a deflected shot; Sharman-Lowe couldn’t do anything to prevent losing the clean sheet. All he could do was watch as the ball looped into the net. With 10 minutes remaining plus added time, Brighton looked like they might have been able to complete the comeback.

A strong start from the Albion

Brighton had a positive start to the fixture, dominating the midfield and passing the ball around nicely. Their first key chance arrived when Moran surged through the midfield before playing out to Baker-Boaitey.

The winger found Evan Ferguson at the near post; his first touch took the ball away from Chelsea’s goalkeeper. A slight scramble in the box followed, although Brighton were unable to capitalise and turned the ball over the bar.

Andrew Crofts’ side had a lot to be proud of in the opening 20 minutes, the right flank looked to be a great outlet for changes as Offiah and Baker-Boaitey were running rings around Chelsea left back Dylan Williams.

Hall heads Chelsea into the lead

On the half hour mark, the Blues go totally against the run of play and take the lead. Josh Brooking received the ball out on the right wing and clipped it into Brighton’s penalty area; Lewis Hall was waiting at the back post.

The Englishman guided it past McGill, who was left stranded in his goal, unable to get near the simple cushioned header.

Simons' shot sails over the bar

With momentum now going their way, Chelsea emerged forward via Thierno Ballo. Ballo cut the ball back to the edge of the box where Simons was waiting eagerly.

Simons struck the ball first time with his side foot, looking to rifle the shot past McGill. Despite his best efforts, Simons couldn’t guide his shot on target, and sent it flying into the North Stand.

Brighton almost gifted an equaliser

In the 38th minute, Jeremy Sarmiento slotted in Baker-Boaitey who had come inside from the wing to a more central position. Sarmiento teed up the Brighton winger for a first-time curling effort.

The whipped shot was aimed at the far corner however it fell straight into the hands of Sharman-Lowe. Chelsea’s man between the sticks spilled the shot but quickly retrieved the ball.

There was a shout for a corner although the referee allowed play to continue.

Final chance of the half

Brighton’s final chance of the half saw James Furlong come agonisingly close to getting the equaliser. The Irishman drove forward - creating the overload - into the box.

Two men in blue and white stripes waited in the area however Furlong opted to go alone. His left footed attempt went just inches wide of the far post.

Bright start to the second half The opening opportunity of the second half fell at Brighton's feet as Tom McGill cleared his lines, Ferguson brought the ball down with a skilful touch. The Irishman then carried the ball forward, racing past the Chelsea back line.

Ferguson set up Andrew Moren on the edge of the box, another strong shot however it skewed slightly wide. A positive start to the second half; the Albion were looking like they would get an equaliser sooner rather than later.

Two golden chances for Miller Shortly after the half got underway, Jeremy Sarmiento got a knock and was replaced by Todd Miller. Miller was on the ball instantly - getting two big chances inside as many minutes.

The first came when Evan Ferguson brought the ball down superbly from yet another long ball, this time with his chest. Ferguson presented Miller with the opportunity to draw Brighton level; Brighton's number 15 drags the shot wide, he searched for the far corner but was unable to find it.

Moments later Miller was through again, this time one-on-one with Sharman-Lowe. The Chelsea goalkeeper was beaten as Miller lobbed the ball over him, however put too much on it and sent the ball over the bar, seeing it land on the roof of the net. A golden opportunity squandered, Brighton were doing everything right; they just couldn't put it in the back of the net!

Assured save from Sharman-Lowe

Andrew Crofts' side create yet another chance to get themselves back into the game, determined to not let down their fans in the final home game of the season. Chelsea were caught off guard by a quickly taken free-kick from the Albion. Cam Peupion - Baker-Boaitey's replacement on the right flank - received an aerial pass from the halfway line, before setting the ball for Ferguson.

Ferguson elected for a volleyed strike, a powerful effort at goal although not powerful enough to get past Sharman-Lowe, who got down well to push the shot away. This turned out to be Ferguson's last real involvement of the game, as he was substituted for Lorent Tolaj minutes later.

Wareham doubled Chelsea's lead

Ferguson's volleyed attempt was denied by Sharman-Lowe, Chelsea quickly rushed up the other end of the field. Odeluga Offiah bought down Harvey Vale in the penalty area, conceding the foul, which caused the referee to point straight to the spot.

Wareham stood up to face Tom McGill; the goalkeeper pointed right, attempting to get inside Wareham's head. The Chelsea substitute followed McGill's instructions, rolling the ball into the bottom corner, as his opponent dived in the opposite direction.

Moran halves the deficit

With only 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Andrew Moran pulled Brighton back into the game. A mistake at the back for Chelsea resulted in Moran quickly capitalising. Todd Miller claimed the assist as he played a one-two to put Moran through on goal. A slight deflection on Moran's shot catches out Sharman-Lowe; the Chelsea keeper watched the ball loop over his head and into the net helplessly. Game on!

Haigh's free-kick rattles the crossbar

Joe Haigh's free-kick crashes against the crossbar in the last kick of normal time - he was brought down by Brighton defender Ed Turns. Haigh curled his free-kick up and over the wall, aiming for the near post, McGill was outstretched and beaten.

The bar was left shaking, Brighton cleared their lines instantly, relieved that they still had additional time to salvage a point. The 4th official raised the board to announce 6 minutes of additional time. Would it be enough for Brighton to get the equaliser?

Seagulls can't quite salvage a point

After 90 minutes of football, Chelsea return to London with a vital 3 points. Goals from Lewis Hall and Jayden Wareham were enough to see out the game at the Amex.

Unfortunately for the Albion, they weren’t clinical enough in front of goal, only putting one in the back of the net despite having 11 shots and enjoying 62% possession. On another night they could have run riot.

The Blues have two games remaining this season to avoid relegation. Brighton face Spurs next Monday in their final fixture of the campaign.

What's Next?

Next match report = Worthing College vs Varndean College

Thursday 5th May 7:30pm

Line-ups:

Brighton – (4-2-3-1) McGill, Offiah, Furlong, Turns, Roberts, Spong, Baker-Boaitey (Peupion 67'), Leonard, Ferguson (Tolaj 82'), Moran, Sarmiento (Miller 47')

Bookings - Leonard (50'), Roberts (75')

Scorers - Moran (80')

Chelsea – (4-2-3-1) Sharman-Lowe, Brooking, Mbuyamba, Humphreys, Williams, Simons, Vale, Elliott (Webster 76'), Soonsup-Bell (Wareham 65'), Ballo, Hall (Haigh 69')

Bookings - Brooking (20'), Hall (35')

Scorers – Hall (30'), Wareham (75')

Written by Isabelle Newnham