SkyBET Championship
9th November 2013
Brighton and Hove Albion (1) 3
Barnes 35(pen) and 77
Forster-Caskey 56
Blackburn Rovers (0) 0
Attendance: 27,912
League Position: 10th
Shortly before 3pm a rainbow appeared above the Amex. Although there was no crock of gold at its end it
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This was by no means the complete performance and Blackburn will feel the score flattered the Albion but there were outstanding performances throughout the team and with the injury list appearing to abate suddenly anything seems possible.
The game was preceded by a short but moving act of Remembrance made all the more emotional by the links between the club and James Brynin. His family and girlfriend were very dignified it what must be a extremely difficult weekend for them.
Understandably the game took a little while to spring to life with Blackburn the first to show when Judge fired wide when well placed. The Albion then came more into the game and a fine break from a Blackburn corner saw an interchange of passes between Bruno and Conway who forced Kean to palm away his fierce shot. Barnes then pounced on a poor back pass from Lowe only to wastefully blast the ball into the South Stand.
The Albion continued to press and a piece of fine penalty area trickery by the impressive Conway ended with him being upended by Etuhu who had only just entered the fray in place of the limping Williamson.
The Amex relaxed. Soon the ball would be in the reassuring arms of David Lopez and shortly afterwards in the back of the net. But wait a moment! Barnes had grabbed the ball. There appeared to be an exchange of words between Barnes and David Lopez. A collective sigh of concern spread around the Amex as memories
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Blackburn suddenly changed game plan. All the delaying tactics stopped and they upped the pace of the game. They had 2 glorious opportunities to equalise before half time. Uncharacteristically Rhodes headed wide when well placed and Dann's header was brilliantly turned over the bar by Kusczcak. The half time whistle came as something of a relief.
The second half started the way the first had ended. Blackburn playing at pace with the Albion holding a defencive line on the edge of their penalty area. This reduced the visitors to a series of long distance pots which allowed Kusczcak to show case his impressive array of dives, catches and punches. He simply looked unbeatable.
The Seagulls' second goal owed a lot to Barnes' hard work in midfield, a lay off to Conway whose cross was headed in by Forster-Caskey as he rushed into the penalty area.
Normal service then resumed with Blackburn giving Kusczak plenty of practice and the Albion trying to hit them on the break. The third goal arrived when Kean flapped at a mishit shot from Crofts which left Barnes with the opportunity to chip the ball over Kean for his second.
The game finished with a number of sweeping passing movements from the Albion as the visitors ran out of ideas, luck and puff.
For the Albion there were impressive performances through the team. Kusczcak, Upson who was calmness personified, Crofts - the best midfielder on the pitch, Forster-Caksey and Ince continuing to show great promise, Barnes' hard work and Conway easily matching Buckley.
On the negative side Bruno did a bad thing for every good thing and David Lopez still looks short of last season's form. Collectively the team sometimes gave the ball away unnecessarily. In fact many of Blackburn's better moments came when the home side presented them with the ball.
So 2 wins on the trot, 6 goals, up to 10th in the table and 3 points away from the play offs plus a good win over a team who 2 seasons ago graced the Premiership and are still benefiting from parachute payments. Onwards and upwards!
The reappearance of Bridcutt at the end seemed to sum up the hope and expectation of the departing supporters.
COMIC MOMENT: Just before the Albion scored their first Ward tried to get down the side of 2 defenders who collided and collapsed to the ground as if pole axed. The home side regained possession and continued to press but D'Urso blew the whistle for an apparent head injury (or 2). When the 2 Blackburn defenders realised they would have to leave the pitch if they received treatment they suddenly recovered and sprinted back into position. From the resulting bounce the ball was whacked down the pitch to Kusczak and all advantage was lost.
TREATMENT ROOM REPORT: Bridcutt and Agustein out but Buckley and Andew in. Oscar hopeful of more returns after the international break.
REFEREE WATCH: Given it was Andy D'Urso he had a quiet afternoon and was dead right about the penalty.
DOH!! Award: Must go the Southern Railways and Network Rail. This was the Albion's only home Saturday game in 7 weeks so it was the day chosen to close the Haywards Heath-Brighton line for maintenance work.
DOH!! Award 2: Must go to the Albion for agreeing to switch the Watford game from Friday to Monday night a month beforehand. As a season ticket holder I could not get to the game as I had agreed to work in Birmingham early on the Tuesday after the game. I also lost the money spent on booking a hotel room on the Friday night. Sometimes taking the Sky shilling leaves a bad taste in the mouths of supporters.
MAGIC MOMENT: Kusczcak's reflex turn over the bar from Dann's short range header just before half time.
MANAGER WATCH: Oscar as well turned out as usual in immaculate suite supplemented by an equally fine pullover in response to a wet and cold English autumn day. He and his team always appear very delighted when the side win which could not always be said of Team Gus. Gary Bowyer wore an old pair of tracksuit bottoms from Woolworth's and an old Blackburn top from a charity shop. Kept warm with several pleading runs to the 4th official.
ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: The sponsor's award went to Barnes for his brace but mine goes to Kuszcask for his master class in goal keeping. If they were still playing now I doubt Blackburn would have found a way past him.
