Cerebral Palsy side enjoy league success
Brighton & Hove Albion Cerebral Palsy FC enjoyed a rare opportunity to host league fixtures at the club’s training ground in Lancing.
The Seagulls compete in the National CP Football League, and last Saturday they hosted sides from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in competitive league action.
Albion ended up victorious in both fixtures, winning 6-1 over Spurs and 2-0 over Chelsea Y.
While league fixtures are often held further afield at Chelsea’s Cobham, Norwich’s The Nest, or Loughborough University, Albion took full advantage of the chance to host fixtures on home turf at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.
Disability Development Officer Luke Frost oversaw both games and gave his take on the action.
Albion 6-1 Tottenham
“From the start the attitude and work rate from the players was brilliant. It was a team performance though our playing out from the back, in-possession passing, and collectively making our defensive shape and structure to hard to break down.
“We went in 2-0 up at half time with a goal from Saul and an own goal, a deflection from a Toby Byrne cross. We started strong, getting the third goal two minutes into the second half thanks to strikes from Courage and Toby Byrne.
“The fifth goal summed up our game plan and our hard work at training; we recovered and secured play by passing back to Mason in goal, slowing the game down and inviting pressure from a frustrated Tottenham. As we looked to play out, Mason drew a foul. Playing out from our deep free-kick, Archie pulled out wide and deep to receive the ball, then playing it down the channel to James who took it past one defender and found Courage in the box, who finished the move off.
“We got our sixth after Josh carried the ball from our half into the opposition box, forcing a save before James tucked away the rebound. Tottenham pulled one back in the latter stages of the game, but we kept Tottenham at bay throughout.”
Albion 2-0 Chelsea Y
“There was a slower start to the game with Chelsea sitting in a 3-3 low block and compacting any space we could create in the box.
“We showed some great patient play, playing out again and taking the space forward but often we struggled to create chances due to taking one too many touches in the box and not raising the tempo.
“Despite this Saul, got us a goal before half-time and put away a second from a Toby Byrne corner in the last minute of the game.
“The team battled brilliantly today and didn’t rise to any tough challenges out there. Well done to you all!
“Thank you to those that came down to support, and we go again at our next fixture on 11 April.”