Billingshurst-based Brighton & Hove Albion forward Tilley praised for debut brace at Cork City

Brighton & Hove Albion youngster James Tilley made a brilliant start to loan life at Cork City with a debut brace on Sunday.
James Tilley celebrates scoring against Barnet in the Carabao Cup. Picture by Phil Westlake (PW Sporting Photography)James Tilley celebrates scoring against Barnet in the Carabao Cup. Picture by Phil Westlake (PW Sporting Photography)
James Tilley celebrates scoring against Barnet in the Carabao Cup. Picture by Phil Westlake (PW Sporting Photography)

The Billingshurst-based attacker joined the Irish club on a season-long loan spell on Friday and had a dream start in their cup clash.

He netted twice in a 4-1 victory against Fermoy in the Munster Senior Cup.

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The 20-year-old, who started his footballing career with Billingshurst’s youth teams and went to the village’s The Weald School, was praised by City boss John Caulfield for his second-half display.

He said: “We said at half-time we felt he was playing too deep, he needed to be in the box. He has pace and a good left peg.

“We needed more and in the second half, he did much better. He got a great header and then the free kick he whipped in at the end, I wasn’t sure if someone got a touch on it, maybe not.

“He has a brilliant left foot, but certainly we were saying at half-time, he was too deep. In the second half, he was much more lively and getting in behind them and causing trouble.

“There were a lot of new players coming in and these venues are tough to come to, we need to be on our game.”