Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 County Armagh
By Paul Alexander
Brighton began their defence of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI trophy with a win against County Armagh on Monday evening.
The Seagulls recorded a slender victory at the Coleraine Showgrounds in what was a repeat of last year’s Premier Section final.
It was the Northern-Irish side who showed the most promise in the early stages. On seven minutes, Oliver Galvin threw himself at Paul Stanfield’s inviting right wing cross but he just couldn’t make a connection.
Luke McAvoy and Matthew McAdam then linked up seconds later although the angle was just too tight for McAdam to finish his teammate’s cross from the left.
Brighton would respond, however, with an opportunity of their own. From a central position, Fraser Widdop slipped the ball into Musa Sanyang’s path but Armagh goalkeeper Matthew Pollock was able to collect it with ease.
The first goal of the game arrived in the 18th minute courtesy of Seagulls skipper Widdop. Lemaii Greenaway’s corner-kick from the right was cleared as far as Widdop who showed expert composure to hammer the ball into the centre of the net.
Armagh went in search of an equaliser almost immediatley. Stanfield looked to find Matthew Dickson with a long range free-kick from the left although it was always going to be a tough ask for the frontman in truth.
Dickson continued to probe the Brighton backline shortly after when he held off his marker however, his shot was cushioned by Brighton keeper Charlie Wilson-Papps.
Albion tried to double their advantage with 24 minutes played. Sanyang’s attmept was saved by Matthew Pollock before Greenaway was ushered away from goal to ensure he would not benefit form the rebound.
Their lead would be extended six minutes later when Micah Gordon-Douglas was quickest to react to a loose ball in the penalty area. The winger appeared to bump into Stanfield when wheeling away to celebrate to the frustration of the Armagh manager Jack Ross.
Although his side managed to get on the scoresheet in the last few seconds of the half when McAvoy and McAdam combined superbly. McAvoy produced a brilliant low cross from the left wing which was finished by McAdam at the back post.
Despite having less clear-cut chances, the second half was as passionatley contested as the opening 35 minutes.
It was almost too passionate in the 47th minute as a scuffle on the halfway line resulted in a booking for Brighton’s Finn Dzekawong and Armagh substitute Michael Emerson.
Emerson’s fellow substitute Bailey Magee tried to secure a late point with a powerful strike. It proved too hot to handle for Wilson-Papps however he managed to gather the ball to secure the win.