A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

SkyBET Championship

25th April 2014

Brighton and Hove Albion (0)2
LuaLua 78
Lingard 90

Yeovil (0)0

Attendance: 26,901
League Position: 6th

A sometimes nervy but ultimately routine victory over relegation bound Yeovil showed glimpses of what might have been this season if Buckley and Orlandi had both bit fit and on the pitch together more often.

For one of only a few times this campaign Brighton's most creative duo started together and both showed what the team had been missing

Down side of changing trains at Reading

particularly in the first half. Whenever Buckley gets a chance to run down the wing he usually causes problems and Orlandi was the most creative midfield influence. He rarely gives the ball away and keeps it moving at pace around the pitch. A less rusty Orlandi would have converted one of the two gilt edged chances that came his way in the first half but that should not detract from his overall contribution. Without these two the Albion are solid and workmanlike but they bring a creative flair which might have turned many of this season's draws (particularly at home) into victories. Orlandi is the best set piece player and does not suffer from the over and/or under hit disease which affects other players. 

Both sides had opportunities to go in ahead in a pretty even first half. Palazuelos rattled the Albion cross bar with Kuszczak beaten but he recovered to grab the ball before it bounced down and over the line. From a free kick Kuszczak came flying out to punch the ball, missed it entirely but was grateful to a calm Dunk standing on the line who controlled and cleared the ball.

At the other end Orlandi should have converted from near the penalty spot but instead steered

"Hands up those who want me to stay!"

the ball wide of Stech's left hand post and shortly afterwards headed tamely wide from a cross from the left. A good run and shot from Buckley saw Stech collect the ball low to his left.

The Albion slowly but surely gained territorial advantage in the second half and all the chasing and closing down was beginning to take its toll on the Yeovil defenders. Time for LuaLua to come on and do what LuaLua does best. The tiring defenders had difficulty containing him and after 78 minutes he curled in a centre from wide on the left which Ulloa could not reach but did enough to distract Stech who could only watch as the ball arced into the left hand corner of the net. Cue LuaLua's trademark somersaulting celebration.

With March on to use his pace against a flagging defence he went clear in added on time and crossed for Lingard to drive high into the net from near the penalty spot for his third Albion goal.

Yeovil were not the poorest team to visit the Amex this season and much of their approach play was attractive and they defended resolutely but a lack of a goal scorer showed why they have spent most of the

"Gully: what the hell are we going to do for the next 4 months?"

season near the foot of the table.  In a soccer world where the money calls the shots we need more Yeovils so perhaps they will be back soon.

Talking about money it looks like Gus Poyet's fears that FFP deniers and parachute payment rich relegated teams would dominate prize giving this year are coming to pass. The three relegated teams are all now in play off positions and of the three Championship teams that did not sign up to FFP I wonder how many of them lie above the Albion. Diplomatically Paul Barber did not name them in his programme article. It would be good for the Albion to make the play offs on the final day if only to leave either Reading or Wigan to worry about next season's finances with a reduced relegation bonus to play with. 

So that is it! No more regular season games at the Amex with only nails left to bite in the land of Robin Hood next Saturday lunch time. Perhaps the Albion can rob the rich and give to the poor!

REF WATCH: Mr. Madley improved as the game progressed. Low point was refusing to give a free kick when Buckley was fouled but did not go down and then lost possession. High point was booking Davis after letting play go on after the game's only bad foul which led to Stephens limping off.

MAGIC MOMENT: A raking 60 yard pass from Dunk to Buckley standing on the wing. Dunk showed

enough in this game to indicate he may be a first choice central defender next season. Back to form of two years ago when he showed so much promise.

TREATMENT ROOM REVOLVING DOOR: Orlandi did not have a season ticket after all but Crofts must be rather lonely in there now.

MANAGER WATCH: Oscar has worked out the vagaries of an English Spring and dressed accordingly. Gary Johnson had his usual pub bar suit on but he and his team deserved the warm applause from the West Stand many of whom may well have been recalling that the Albion were a Yeovil not many seasons ago.

ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: LEWIS DUNK for that 60 yard pass, clearance off the line and showing rich promise for 2014/15.