Brighton & Hove Albion 1
County Armagh 1
(Brighton win 4-2 on penalties)
By Paul Alexander
Brighton & Hove Albion defeated County Armagh 4-2 on penalties to win the Premier section of the 2024 SuperCupNI on Friday evening.
Albion surprised almost everyone inside the Coleraine Showgrounds when they took the lead in the first minute after Tobi Akapo headed in from a corner-kick.
They would have added to their early goal eight minutes later had it not been for Sean Hamill in the Armagh goal. Cristiano Anah’s cross from the left wing was headed towards goal by Austin Pugh before Hamill produced a superb save.
In response, County Armagh’s Paul McGovern tried a shot from range which was cushioned by Brighton goalkeeper Stan Williamson.
McGovern tested Williamsom once more when he surged forward and unleashed a low, powerful shot which was, again, saved by Williamson.
Armagh drew level from the penalty spot on 18 minutes. Wing-back Alex Eakin was fouled by Jackson Morby before Jacob Farr sent Williamson the wrong way and rolled his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
Farr had another chance four minutes before half-time when he had a stab at goal but Williamson was able to gather.
The county side remained the dominant attacking force throughout the second half. With almost 38 minutes played, Eoghám Liggett tried to alter the direction of teammate Matthew Allen’s shot but he was denied by Williamson.
McGovern tried to head his side in front in the 50th minute but his attempt was held by Williamson.
Substitute Harry Gough very nearly won the game for Armagh in stoppage time. He fired a shot from about 20 yards out which bounced off the crossbar.
Both sides scored their opening penalties in the shoot-out – Alex Ranson for Brighton and Shane Trainor for the Orchard County.
Rafaelle Oppong scored in the second round of spot-kicks before Williamson denied Eakin with a save to his right.
Bode Newham Reeve and Gough both scored in the third round, with the contest being decided in the fourth. Jacob Parsons went straight down the middle before Farr sent his penalty wide.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Williamson, Anah, Ranson, Akapo, Morby, Widdop, Pugh (Boddy, 55), Brennan, Newham Reeve, Parsons, Lawson (Oppong, 55)
Subs not used: Furber, Purcell, Smith, Long, Gbemre Maclean
County Armagh: Hamill, Liggett, Crooks, Williamson, Eakin, Stanfield, Allen (Gough, 64), Trainor, McAdam, McGovern, Farr
Subs not used: Gault, Richardson, Pedlow, McAvoy, Finnegan, Fry