Men's under-21s breeze past RB Leipzig

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Goals from Josh Duffus, Cam Peupion and Jamie Mullins secure victory in Premier League International Cup.

Matt Bishop

2024-10-18T22:00+01:00

Josh Duffus celebrates scoring the opening goal against RB Leipzig. 📸 Paul Hazlewood

Albion’s men’s under-21s started their Premier League International Cup campaign in style with a resounding 3-0 win against RB Leipzig.

Goals from Josh Duffus, Cam Peupion and Marcus Ifill secured Shannon Ruth’s side an impressive three points against The Red Bulls at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.

Harry Howell had Albion’s first attempts on goal as both sides battled to gain control of the early stages, but the England under-17 international blasted two efforts from range well over inside the opening ten minutes.

The visitors were next to try their luck from distance, but Noah Weissbach dragged his first-time shot from 25 yards wide, before Cam Peupion looked likely to open the scoring after Charlie Tasker’s fizzing cross evaded everyone inside the six-yard box – but the Australian saw his shot blocked.

Albion began to dominate as the half-hour mark approached, but Tasker saw another low ball into the area well held by Leipzig goalkeeper Luca Janosch, Josh Duffus was denied by Jamie Schuldes’ last-ditch challenge and Caylan Vickers tapped into an empty net only to be flagged offside.

Amos Gerth failed to get enough power on his header at the other end as Hugo Fisher was called into action for the first time, but it always looked likely to be Albion who’d open the scoring - and they did so through Duffus.

The in-form striker scored his seventh goal of the season after Tasker’s fabulous through ball set him free on the right, and Duffus raced clear before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner five minutes before the break.

Albion nearly doubled their lead 90 seconds later but after combining with Jacob Slater, Peupion cut inside and curled his shot from 18 yards straight at Janosch.

Cam Peupion doubled Albion's advantage. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

The second 45 minutes started how the first ended, with Albion on top, but Howell failed to connect well with Slater’s deep cross and his left-footed shot was easily saved two minutes after the interval.

Fisher was then forced into a fine save against the run of play when Schuldes’ shot swerved towards the bottom corner, but Albion refused to lose control and instead doubled their lead after 56 minutes.

Peupion was the goalscorer, pouncing on a defensive mix-up before showing searing pace and then lovely composure to race clear and score into an empty net after rounding Janosch.

Albion were rampant after Peupion’s calm finish with Jamie Mullins denied from close range, Ed Turns disappointed to steer a free header wide and Peupion shooting straight at Janosch from 12 yards.

But Ruth’s young Seagulls weren’t to be denied a third goal and put the game beyond doubt just after the hour mark, as Marcus Ifill benefitted from another defensive error and cooly slotted into the bottom corner.

Marcus Ifill made it 3-0 on the night. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Albion could have scored more in the latter stages with Vickers curling a beautiful shot inches wide and Tasker seeing his strike desperately hacked clear inside the penalty area, but by then the points were already sealed.

Albion are next in action on Tuesday, hosting Real Sociedad in their second group match of this season’s International Cup.

Albion: Fisher, Slater (Mills, 72), Turns, Simmonds, Tasker, Peupion (Bashir, 72), Knight, Mullins (C) (Albarus, 68) Howell (Moulton, 72), C. Vickers, Duffus (Ifill, 57).