By Tim Dudding

Albion's under-18s got their Puma Youth Alliance Cup campaign off to a flying start with an emphatic 4-0 win against Barnet on Saturday morning.

The Seagulls dominated affairs from the start, but it took them until shortly before half-time to make the breakthrough, when Leon Redwood drilled a powerful left-foot shot home from 25 yards.

Nine minutes after the break George Hayward won possession with a strong tackle in midfield before sliding a terrific ball through to George Barker, who showed good composure to double Albion's lead.

Barker then turned provider, crossing from the left for substitute Conor Wilkins to arrive at the far post and make it 3-0 from close range.

The victory was complete when Conor Hider capitalised on a loose pass and played a one-two with Barker before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Youth team boss Steve Brown was delighted with the display.

"I'm really pleased with the performance," he told seagulls.co.uk. "We started really well, but didn't turn our dominance into goals.

"But we defended as a team, and had the added bonus of scoring four at the other end.

"We worked really hard on restricting the opposition to a few chances, and that's now two clean sheets on the trot, which is pleasing."

The only downside was a head injury for goalkeeper Mitch Walker, who suffered a concussion during a brave challenge in the first half.

The 17-year-old was replaced at the break by Josh James, and is due to return to training on Thursday.

Triliast defender Grant Hall lined-up at centre-half; under-16s duo Jake Caskey and Seb Saunders both featured, while fellow schoolboys Chris Cumming-Bart and Jordan Dudas were among the unused substitutes.

Albion are in Youth Alliance Cup action again this weekend at Brentford.

Download the Puma Youth Alliance Newsletter for all the latest results and standings.

Albion: (4-4-2) Walker (James 46): Cooper, Sheriff, Grant Hall, Strong; Redwood (Saunders 46), Caskey, Hayward (Wilkins 60), Smith; Barker, Hider. Subs not used: Cumming-Bart, Jordan Dudas.

Watch the match highlights on Seagulls Player now!