Chris Breach aims to help Albion youngsters kick-start their young careers with another Youth Cup success.

The highly-rated defender from Hove was only 15 when he appeared four times in the prestigious under-18 competition last season, twice in the starting line-up as a replacement for the injured Adam Hinshelwood, as Albion reached the fifth round.

Now a first-year scholar, he is one of the most experienced players in Albion's squad for the third round tie against Academy club Wimbledon.

Breach has played three full matches for Albion Reserves this season and everywhere across the back four as an ever-present for the under-19s.

He said: "With the players we've got, we're capable of beating anyone if we play well on the day. We've only got four second-year scholars, so in a way I suppose I'm one of the more senior players in terms of experience and I'd like to think I can help some of the others along.

"The older lads gave me a lot of confidence last season, giving me a pat on the back whenever I did something good but not getting on my back if I made a mistake. I think that helped me get over the nerves and now I know what to expect.

"I was still at school so it put me a year ahead of where I thought I might be, helping prepare me for the under-19s and the reserves."

The Youth Cup match will be played at Nyewood Lane, Bognor, on Tuesday, December 3 (7.30pm).

Albion's under-19s face Luton Town in the Football League Youth Alliance Cup this weekend, aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at league leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

Dean Wilkins' side won a group of four teams to qualify for the last 16 but the Alliance Cup is now a knockout, starting with the Hatters' visit to Sussex University on Saturday (11am).

The under-17s were not in action last weekend but stay second in the league ahead of Saturday's match against Colchester United at Lancing College (11am).