Brighton seised the opportunity to showcase their youthful talent by clinching a 3-0 victory in the EFL Trophy. Charlie Tasker, Kamari Doyle and Mark O’Mahony were all on target during the opening group match at Northampton Town. Doyle and O’Mahony spent last season on loan at Reading, while Tasker is anticipated to move temporarily elsewhere this campaign after recovering from a thigh injury sustained during his rehabilitation. Several of Brighton’s young players featured alongside the senior side during pre-season preparations, and further activity involving the club’s emerging stars is expected over the next fortnight.
Tasker initiated the scoring with an eighth-minute header, connecting with Miah Oriola’s cross following an excellent team move by the Seagulls. Doyle doubled the advantage six minutes later, unleashing an impressive effort from the periphery of the penalty area. O’Mahony, who had previously scored during a friendly against Worthing, converted from the penalty spot early in the second half after Max Dyche impeded Josh Robertson. Brighton’s goalkeeper Steven Hall produced several vital stops, none more crucial than one in the closing stages, to preserve the clean sheet.
Worthing also made their bow in the competition on the same evening, suffering a 2-1 home loss to West Ham’s under-21 side. A crowd of 1,321 witnessed Remiero Moulton give the Rebels an early lead with a superb strike, though West Ham built considerable pressure and netted twice after the interval.
Brighton under-21s: Hall; Mackley, Barclay, Simmonds (Ferdinand 71); Tasker, Doyle (Lane 81), Robertson, Keogh (Outen 81); Nti (Ibrahim 90+2), Oriola (Shaw 71); O’Mahony.