Tolaj back with a bang for under-23s
Albion are still unbeaten in Premier League 2 after a superb first-half display set up acomfortablewinoverBlackburn at the Amex last Friday.
In front of head coach Graham Potter, Andrew Crofts’ side put the game to bed inside 32 minutes thanks to Marc Leonard’s penalty, a brilliant volley by Lorent Tolaj and a spectacular effort from left-back James Furlong.
Blackburn were more threatening in the second half and pulled a goal back through Sam Burns but substitute Evan Ferguson got a fourth for Albion in the closing stages.
It was a special night for Tolaj who scored his first goal for Albion since his return from a nine-month injury lay-off with knee and hamstring issues.
“I am happy to help the team with this goal, for my confidence it’s a really important goal,” said the Swiss 19-year-old. “Now we are focussed on the EFL Trophy game on Tuesday.
“Now I have that confidence I want to build on my qualities. I am powerful, I make the defender work hard to try and mark me, I try and keep the ball as well as possible to bring my teammates into the game.
“My goal was a nice finish! I work a lot on controlling a ball into the box, and then turning and scoring – I am happy that I was able to recreate that in the game.
“It was a hard season last year, I am so happy to come back, it’s a massive thing for me to score my first goal after such a long time out injured.
Albion: McGill, Packham, Furlong, Dicker, Turns, Offiah, Peupion, Spong (Miller 65), Tolaj (Ferguson 75), Leonard, Sarmiento (Moran 45).
Subs not used: Desbois, Hinchy. Tomorrow Brighton under-23s take on Man United at Leigh Sports Village.