He is a former pupil of King's Manor Community College, Shoreham, who scored a stunning second goal to help Albion win 3-2 on Saturday.

Not Simon Rodger but Ben Watson, whose finish against QPR under-17s capped a contender for Albion's team goal of the season.

Phil Greatwich passed forward to Jake Robinson who volleyed a first-time ball to winger Dean Cox on the right. Another first-time pass allowed Watson to finish clinically with a strong shot into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

First-year scholar Watson, 16, said: "It was a good move, we kept it well and I was very happy with the finish. I'm really enjoying it and my confidence is up."

The lively striker from Portslade was on the brink of joining Wimbledon as a 12-year-old and later interested other clubs, including Crystal Palace, while at Albion's Centre of Excellence but decided to stay and agreed a scholarship with the Seagulls.

Albion also have high hopes for another King's Manor pupil, under-15 midfielder Dan Taylor who has already appeared for the under-17s.

Dean Cox opened the scoring with a 30-yard screamer and Owen Callaghan was also on target from long range as the under-17s recorded their seventh win in ten matches.

Coach Colin Smart said: "I don't think the scoreline reflected our superiority. It was a tremendous strike from Coxy and the second goal was superb - one, two, three and it was in the back of the net.

"I thought Ben Watson was our best player, but there were other good performances and I'd be hard pushed to say anyone had a bad game."

The win moved Smart's side up a place to second, ahead of Luton but three points behind Peterborough.

Youth coach Dean Wilkins watched the match at Ardingly College as his under-19s did not play on Saturday.

The roles will be reversed this weekend as the under-19s visit table-topping Wycombe but the under-17s are without a game.