The Northampton Town youth team were in action at Sixfields on Monday night as they took on Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

With the draw for the next round already made both sides went into the game knowing that a win would secure them a home tie against Premier League side Everton in round 4.

The first effort on goal came on 8 minutes when Leon Redwood’s sweetly struck effort came back off the inside of the post before being cleared to safety by Cobblers skipper Luke Cray.

As the intensity of the rain increased, a nicely weighted pass from George Barker played in Ryan Thompson for Brighton but his shot was comfortably saved by Paul Walker.

A long diagonal ball then played in Leon Redwood and his low drilled effort was turned behind for a corner, from which Brighton took the lead, George Barker with the headed goal on 16 minutes.

Josh Moreman tried his luck from 30-yards on 22 minutes but his powerful drive was always rising and in the end it sailed about a foot over the cross bar.

The Cobblers were back on level terms on 27 minutes, thanks to a deflected 20-yard effort from Josh Moreman.

Greg Kaziboni then had a shot on 28 minutes which at a stretch Mitch Walker did well to save.

Brighton then re-took the lead on 34 minutes when Leon Redwood’s cross was turned home by George Barker from close range.

Malachi Farquharson jinked his way into the penalty area on 41 minutes, beating three players, but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line by a covering Brighton defender.

As play then switched to the other end Ryan Thompson curled an effort from 20-yards which was well tipped away by Walker.

Sean Parrish made a change at half-time with George Dukes coming on for Josh Moreman.

After creating some space for himself Alex Konstantinou then had a stinging drive beaten away for a corner.

Brighton made their first substitution on 52 minutes with George Hayward replacing Ryan Thompson.

The lively Leon Redwood then cut inside two defenders but his powerful strike smashed against the upright before bouncing away to safety.

Will Green broke clear of the Brighton defence on 74 minutes before being denied by a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Jamie Strong, who timed his tackle to perfection to prevent Green from pulling the trigger.

Brighton extended their lead on 75 minutes, George Barker completing his hat-trick with a low drive into the bottom corner.

The visitors made a second change on 81 minutes, Tom Vickers coming on for Jake Caskey.

There was to be no late drama however an Brighton booked their place in the next round of the FA Youth cup with a 3-1 victory.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1

Josh Moreman 27

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3

George Barker 16, 34, 75

Teams

Cobblers: Paul Walker, Liam Ruddick, Ben Islam, Michael Jacobs, Josh Urquhart, Luke Cray (capt), Will Green, Malachi Farquharson, Josh Moreman (sub George Dukes 46), Alex Konstantinou, Greg Kaziboni

Subs not used: Mihai Gherasim, Charlie Death, Daniel Bannister, Merson Styles

Brighton: Mitch Walker, Lee Cooper, James Smith, Jamie Strong, Lewis Dunk (capt), Connor Wilkins, Leon Redwood, Ryan Thompson (sub George Hayward 52), Connor Hider, George Barker, Jake Caskey (sub Tom Vickers 81)

Subs not used: Callum Sherriff, Tom Godfrey, Dan Bolwell

Referee: Mr R Ellis

Attendance: 174