A GAME OF TWO HALVES

Brighton and Hove Albion 2(0) Watford 2(2)
Calderon 55                                 Murray 6
Buckley 79                                   Deeney (pen) 44

Attendance: 19,189

Surely not the players?

There was an end of term feel about the Amex last night but little sign of end of term truancy on the terraces. The game was in part about the Albion faithful. Would they turn up after the mauling at Upton Park and would they get behind the team now that all realistic chances of the play offs had evaporated?

They certainly clicked there way through the turnstiles. Given the 1,000 or so keen souls from Watford this must have been one of the biggest turn outs of Albion followers this season. The alarming gaps in the East and North stands quickly filled in the 5 minutes before kick off and the temporary home seats in the South were well attended.

Despite Gus's post match comments the fans got behind the team in the second half as the 12th player came into force. Yes there were a few ironic cheers when David Gonzalez managed his first piece of competent goal keeping but that would have happened at any ground. Again there was some booing after a pretty hapless first half marked with lost possession and misplaced passes with Dicker and Barnes the main culprits. But it was pretty half hearted.

My over riding recollection was the home stands getting behind the team after the break. Gus had clearly turned the radio up loud in the dressing room as the players were out early and raring to go. The crowd sensed this. Everybody put in a shift and Barnes and Dicker did not hide. Indeed it was Dicker's deft lay off that lead to the first goal.

Ref rejects Calderon's petition to sent Eustace off

A piece of Spanish magic was needed and this was duly supplied by Vicente who had apparently risen from his sick bed to join us. 2 fine shots joined by a wonderful piece of ball control saw Calderon sweep home his fourth of the season. The way he controlled his shot after the first was punched out by the keeper showed a piece of skill rare amongst English players.

Vicente drew defenders like flies to a light. Eventually he found space on the left and hit a sweet low centre which Buckley coming in from the opposite wing deftly steered past Kuszczark. Kuszczak beat away another shot from Vicente deep into injury time to deny the Seagulls a win.

A draw was about a fair result given Watford's first half display. They were gifted 2 soft goals from a free kick and penalty needlessly conceded. In the last 2 home games goals have come from free kicks given away just outside the penalty area so fewer rash challenges required that near goal. 

Clearly the Seagulls are a work in progress but have a strong nucleus to build on for next season. We need to be able to challenge for the ball more strongly in midfield and have the strength to win possession when rolling the ball out to a defender is not an option. 

So on to a visit from Brum for the last home game and the opportunity to say thank you to the players and Gus for giving us an exciting first season at the Amex full of rich promise for the future.

When shall we 3 meet again?

It was a personal pleasure to see Eric Gill being interviewed at half time. He played in goal the first time I saw the Albion in 1958 and went 5 years without missing a game. We have been through 4 keepers this season - there must be a message in there somewhere!

And a last thought..... will Brum City become the third team in a row to hold up the kick off for a secret seven huddle? How long before this silly time wasting tactic is banned?

Where did all those games go?