Albion's Under-18 side lost 2-1 to Aldershot in their opening game of the season at the University of Sussex on Saturday.
Steve Brown's team got off to the worst possible start, conceding two headed goals from set pieces inside the first five minutes, against a taller and more physical Aldershot side.
Albion pulled themselves back into the game when centre-half Callum Sheriff hooked Doug Tuck's drive into the bottom corner midway through the first-half, and they continued to press for the equaliser.
Tuck, the 16-year-old nephew of former Albion defender Stuart, was the stand-out performer on the day but despite the team's best efforts, they couldn't find that elusive second goal after the break.
Brown told seagulls.co.uk, "It was a really poor start to the game for us. We are a small and young side but I wouldn't allow that kind of defending from any of my players, so we have got a bit of work to do.
"After that I was quite pleased though. We pressed hard for an equaliser and I thought it was going to come, but you have got to give credit to Aldershot because they defended well.
"You have got to grow up fast, and every mistake you make you must learn from. We will point it out on the video and we will work on it in training. That's what being an apprentice is all about.
"We have plenty of positives to take from the game though, one being Dougie Tuck. He's just 16-years-old and lightweight but he's a brilliant passer of the ball. He was terrific and was possibly my best player."
Jake MacFarlane also made his Albion debut after signing from Southampton on a two-year scholarship deal during the summer.
Albion: (4-5-1) Godfrey; MacFarlane, Strong, Sherriff, Bolwell; Cumming-Bart (Levy 65), Shonk, Tuck (Gray 75), Hayward, Redwood; Hider. Subs not used: Britt (GK), Rae, Cooper.
