Report – Thompson and Bailey-Joseph score as Arsenal U18s are held by Brighton

U18 Premier League

Arsenal 2 (Thompson 14, Bailey-Joseph 53) Brighton 2 (Ibrahim 38, 89)

Arsenal U18s had to settle for a point away to Brighton today despite leading twice courtesy of goals from Kyran Thompson and Brando Bailey-Joseph.

The young Gunners were without Jack Porter and Ceadach O’Neill, while Theo Julienne captained the side in the absence of Callan Hamill, who featured for the U21s last night.

Jack Talbot, Marciniak and Thompson all came into the starting lineup, while Patrick Stachow was named in the squad for the first time in an U18s league game this season.

Talbot

King-Onyekachukwu-Chapman-Ogunnaike

Murisa

Hashi-Julienne

Bailey Joseph-Thompson-Marciniak

Subs: Frohock (for Thompson, 79), Tahou (for Hashi, 90). Not used: Lupinski, Stachow, B. Phillips.

Thompson scored a brace last weekend and the schoolboy continued his fine form by opening the scoring in the 14th minute having been set up by Marciniak.

Brighton equalised in the 38th minute as Younes Ibrahim found the net.

In the closing stages of the first half Arsenal goalkeeper Talbot was booked for conceding a penalty, with Brighton’s Henry Kasvosve missing the spot kick.

Arsenal restored their lead in the second half through Bailey-Joseph.

Marley Frohock replaced Thompson but there was frustration for Arsenal late on as Ibrahim equalised for Brighton with his second goal of the game.

Despite that late setback Arsenal U18s remain unbeaten in all competitions this season and are also still top of the southern section.