Carlisle - Away, Withdean Era
Season 12 (A) 18/9/10 - 0-0
Hey guess what? Our fifth visit in consecutive seasons and yet another BHA boss took our very next new squad to Cumbria to try for extremely rare points. Russ Slade, Micky Adams and Dean Wilkins, all had a go previously but we were still stuck in League1 like perennial no-hopers. Gus Poyet was doing his thing now and had spent Tony Bloom's dosh already. At least Falmer was well advanced and apparently, we'd see a Sussex icon finished on schedule. All Albion had to do was get 80+ points for promotion, or slightly less for play-offs. Yes, Championship footy and living the dream. What's the prob? Well, we had to win half our matches for kick-off and see below how far we'd got. Meanwhile, repeating last season's away record should get us in with a shout, given W'dean could be a fortress again.
Everybody agreed it was all a bit flat. Poyet started with 451 and Murray ran around alone up front. Defences were generally on top and United tried very hard to break deadlock in the first forty-five minutes. Albion couldn't work the flanks with total freedom and pace, so Gus brought both wingers off on the hour mark. GP reshaped to 4312 and BHA probably had best of the second period, especially when Cumbrians tired toward the end. Brighton did have chances in a competitive stalemate but failed to really get in a killer blow. We passed nicely, although couldn't finish for toffee. Credit went to our rearguard for a clean sheet, Ankergren getting plaudits for a magnificent double save to ensure we went home with a point. Not bad but to be true p-o contenders, Seagulls needed to fly faster and further. It could be done on shorter trips up the country!
Ankergren, Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter, Bennett (Baz), Dicker, Kishishev, Sparrow, LuaLua (Barnes), Murray
League1 P 6 . W 3 D 2 L 1 . F 8 A 5 . Pt 11 Po 8

Season 11 (A) 12/9/09 - 2-0 ~ Forster 2
We were back on the long M6 - to just short of the Scottish border - in September yet again and it was like summer. BHA had Falmer rising from downland chalk and Russ Slade had put together a half decent squad on paper but we couldn't win for all the seats in a brand new community stadium. Slowly but surely the R word was replaced by the G spot - for gelled. Slade tightened defence and even got wide men defending and all. Potential was there to perceive, so could Albion go far and get points?
On 4mins Forster volleyed home a half chance from Virgs hopeful ball. It was the start B'ton wanted and they intended it wasn't gonna slip. FDM played his part but wasn't unduly troubled by a Cumbrian side struggling for points at their place. Albion defended like heroes and kept United at bay for over an hour. The home outfit tried to get back into this fixture but Forster's second killed 'em. Dickinson done good to tee him up (66m) on the near post. Fozzy went in search of a hat-trick and Ref denied him a cert pen and disallowed another. Midfield got stuck in and defenders did the do too. It was a great all round performance and B'fans left happy with a sun tan. Northern exiles turned up in numbers and Seagulls certainly flew there and back today.
Kuipers, Virgo, Elphick, Tunnicliffe, El-Abd, Bennett (Thornhill), Crofts, Dicker, Davies, Dickinson (Hart), Forster.
League1 P 7 . W 2 D 2 L 3 . F 7 A 13 . Pt 8 Po 15

Season 10 (A) 15/11/08 - 1-3 ~ Richards
Brighton were a third of the way thru their 3rd League1 season on the bounce and pretty average to say the least. This was the first away fixture since Hartlepool in October and continued a run of trips up north until Xmas. There had been five home games in a row again, including a LC, FAC and JPT ties respectively - see below. Micky Adams had got some loan players in to try and up the ante and set up a winning run. He flew Seagulls squad up there and hang the expense - after all, footballers have to prepare properly. Carlisle were seemingly in disarray, having dropped their manager and gone 13 without a win, including nine losses prior to hosting us. On a chilly but bright (until dusk) and dry afternoon, a half decent mob of away fans awaited a first goal.
After half an hour of typical League1 fare, during which Brighton coulda led, Carlisle opened the scoring (31m). They poached it after FDM parried a shot. In added injury time they got a second (45m) in similar fashion, to go into refreshment on a high. Adams stuck with 442 but subbed 2 attackers for 2nd period. But we were all asking where B'ton's defence were again after the break, when refreshed United hit us on the break (55m). A quick 1-2 and we're 3 down now. Albion began to get back into this turgid northern contest, following Richards consolation (64m). He drove thru a ruck, coming on to a f-k o/s the area. Travelling support rallied our troops but to no avail goalwise. They ponced about for thirty odd minutes, then jacked footy in as it got dark. Southern softies we never gonna get a draw, even in a month of daylight or especially northern lights.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, El-Abd, Richards, Anyinsah (Fraser), Johnson, Livermore, Cox (McLeod), Fleetwood (Forster), Murray.
League1 P 16 . W 4 D 7 L 5 . F 21 A 23 . Pt 19 Po 15

Season 9 (A) 8/3/08 - 0-2
Carlisle had gone eleven straight victories at Brunton Park and were pushing for auto promo when we visited in sunny but chilly March. The pitch was bald and a fearsome gusty wind blew straight down it. Brighton had completed a run of five consecutive homes in three weeks and then found ourselves with the longest trip imaginable. Home form was ok but our away record pretty poor considering expectations of play-off participation. Wilkins had certain problems with his squad, mostly injuries but Cox was dropped for speaking up in public. Midfield needed improving and Westlake came in on-loan from Leeds. Murray and Forster were struggling to score goals from open play and across the board we didn't appear strong keeping clean sheets and nicking one-nils as in Adams or McGhee's p-o days.
Brighton missed opportunities to lead and hit the post. Carlisle then went one ahead (35 min) from a free-kick out to the wing, that was turned in when centred. That upset plans to keep it goal-less and they secured all points and 12 in a row (59 min) at a corner. BHA played ok in patches but heads dropped on the hour. Wilkins introduced midfield subs 10 minutes later and a new striker 8 min after these changes. It made absolutely no difference whatsoever. Cumbrians weren't fantastically better than Albion but they netted chances. In later stages good travelling support scaled down singing and chanting as if players couldn't particularly be bothered, then...
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, El-Abd, Richards, Martot (Robinson), Thomson, Fraser (Loft), Westlake, Murray, Forster (Hart).
League1 P 34 . W 13 D 10 L 11 . F44 A38 . Pt 49 Po 12

Season 8 (A) 23/9/06 - 1-3 ~ Revell
Shirt sleeves were order of the day at this hotch potch Cumbrian venue as temperatures soared in caravan country. Over 250 Seagulls flock had flown up there er, like the team - yeah right! Whether they'd party'd too much or we were expecting a miracle, following an unlucky late evening bash at Southend - well, what do you think? Anyway Albion appeared more like ex-Conference than ex-Champ's and the home lot thought their numbers had come good again.
Two-nil down on the half hour was enough to seal a dismal defeat and we were forced to watch a pathetic performance in full glare of September sun to boot. Reid busted his knee and Wilkins re-shuffled after the break. Too many individuals were having a nightmare for any real difference to kick in. Ten minutes from an end most Albion faithful hoped would come much sooner, we went three behind and sick as parrots. Before a final whistle put us out of total misery, B'ton got a consolation to ease stomach pains a little. It merely reduced a raging temperature by a degree as we reached, also for anti depressants.
Kuipers, El-Abd, Santos (Molango), Lynch, Mayo, Frutos (Rents), Hammond, Reid (Fraser), Cox, Hart, Revell
League1 P 10 . W 4 D 2 L 4 . F 14 A 15 . Pt 14 Po 12

Season 2 (A) 21/4/01 - 0-0
Brighton had received promotion up to div2 a week earlier, down in Plymouth. They then took around another 1000 away up north, to Cumbria and met a side who always seemed to be facing in the opposite direction. It may have been a small crowd and nil-nil but both teams badly wanted to win. There were goalmouth incidents of the hit and miss variety, encouraged by vocal support from both groups with different accents. We cleared off our line, then saw one hit their post. You can't win 'em all, although we were unbeaten on a very long road in four matches, during what became a hectic run-in. Getting to top the table was a priority, though this contest only slowed momentum slightly with yet another clean sheet record for stats lovers. Albion had been in the first three places over seven months from the previous October. It appeared to be icing on our cake to become champions in our one hundredth year.
Kuipers, Watson, Cullip, Crosby, Mayo, Hart (Thomas), Carpenter, Oatway, Melton (Rogers), Brooker (Steele), Zamora.
Div3 (League 2) P 42 . W 26 D 7 L 9 . F 68 A 31 . Pt 85 Po 2

Season 1 (A) 9/10/99 - 1-0 ~ Aspinal
There's an old joke about Brighton once being their nearest club because we're Queen of the South but it's probably a bit borderline and off the wall reputedly. Scotland is so close to 'em that these days, Gretna almost marries two separated national leagues. Albion went to Brunton Park in early October for a 700 mile round trip, with 390 away faithful but didn't really win many hearts. Rather, we won the game in drizzly Cumbria, where the resident eleven were building a wall trying to keep marauding southerners at bay for ninety minutes. Ex-local hero Aspinal, popped an intercepted back-pass over their keeper late on and then did a Braveheart impression in front of stunned amassed hoards. Restless northerners must have wondered about more pitched battles, as was their near relegation fate in '98/99, when surviving by just one point.
Brighton recorded a third clean sheet in a row, after conceding 8 goals in 3 games beforehand. In fact at this first quarter stage of a campaign full of expectation, a play-off position looked a possibility. Defeats had only been by the odd one from mixed results generally and Micky Adams was attempting to find a formula for success. Cullip had signed permanently and perhaps others would follow. A 21st century BHA was evolving, guided by Adams and backed by a forward thinking Board, who had big future plans.
Walton, Campbell, McPherson, Hobson, Cullip, Wilder, Rogers, Oatway, Aspinal (Mayo), Hart, Cameron (Thomas).
Div3 (League 2) P 11 . W 5 D 3 L 3 . F 20 A 11 . Pt 18 Po 6

Carlisle - Home, Withdean Era
Season 12 (H) 5/3/11 - 4-3 ~ Murray, Barnes 2, Bridcutt
Eleven months on from hosting United at Withdean and what was different? Yeah, it was again like that old fortress of way back in the decade, when we got promotion and such like. Brighton fans had much to look forward to and all, with Falmer season tickets sold in vast numbers to loyal Withdeanites and their friends and family. Gus Poyet was a God and Tony Bloom a hero in his own 93million pound project. Martin Perry was man of the moment, while Dick Knight became a legend between Brighton, Hove and all points north. On the day, league1 leaders Albion put out a strong eleven backed by class on the bench. It was cold but at times sunny and nearly 7500 punters turned up.
Carlisle stunned locals by snatching a very early lead when Brighton hadn't got imto gear (3min). We battered 'em during the first half and Murray equalised when going thru unopposed (23m). In the second period Barnes got two in similar fashion to Muzza from forward passes (53, 63m). But United also notched twice when Albion slipped up in defence (60, 90+). With plenty of stoppage time added on the clock, Bridcutt won it in sensational fashion from a volley right at the death (90+). Cumbrians came and had a go but we wanted the title and Gus said wins at W'dean would get us more than halfway there. Two thirds of the season had produced a tad over two points per game and that was the benchmark Albion needed to make until May. So far so good. We all prayed hard our good luck would continue.
Ankergren, Calderon, Elphick, Greer, Painter, Bennett, Bridcutt, Dicker, Noone (Wood), Murray (Kishishev), Barnes (Sandaza).
League1 P 32 . W 19 D 8 L 5 . F 61 A 26 . Pt 65 Po 1

Season 11 (H) 10/4/10 - 1-2 ~ Elphick
Everything was meandering toward mid table mediocrity, which might actually be considered a success at end of the day. Brighton had been in a right fix well prior to Xmas and Russ Slade made way for Gus Poyet. It took him ages to get a grip, especially concerning results at home. But a good run in early springtime extracted Albion from the drop zone. Apparently there was plenty to look forward to for next year and of course Falmer was being built and beginning to appear as a pukka arena next to the A27 Brighton by-pass. Fans were told Tony Bloom would put hands in deep pockets for squad strengthening and he wanted a top-two finish next season and all. Oh well, better to dream-on than keep worrying about possible relegation to league2. Ever since McGhee, Wilkins, Adams and Slade were manager these last five years, Brighton fans were initially full of hope, then latterly disappointment. That's football third-tier style, you take the rough with the er, rougher.
Albion went a goal down on half an hour when a United f-k found the top corner (33min). It seemed strange to be behind at half time, as B'ton had pushed the ball about as usual using 451. The pitch was a tad bobbly but hey, it was like summer out there. BHA huffed and puffed in second period, without much end product from any number of stats showing superiority over visitors. Holroyd partnered Barnes up front to go 352 on the hour. Nearing the end, Hendrie came on and chipped for the back stick. Elphick equalised with his bonce and a quiet Withdean erupted (85m). Three minutes later we'd lost it when Brezovan got stranded to a deep cross a United player headed in for free (88m). Talk about one step forwards and two back. Gus wasn't too pleased either and we all knew there would be another big shake up soon for next term. We lacked true quality to beat top half teams and that had to change. Still, the gate was 6600 odd and at least some people still wanted to come here and pay good money. We were a family club at heart of the community after all.
Brezovan, Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Hoyte (Holroyd), Bennett, Crofts, Navarro, Dicker (Hendrie), LuaLua, Barnes.
League1 P 41 . W 12 D 12 L 17 . F 51 A 58 . Pt 48 Po 15

Season 10 (H) 14/2/09 - 0-2
It might have been bleak midwinter and Albion also suffered postponements like the rest of League1 but there were compensations. Dick Knight missed his emotional return to Hereford due to a snow-covered pitch but had been busy in other livestock markets. Before the Jan '09 transfer window shut, he'd signed Jim McNulty from Stockport and Craig Davies from Oldham. They joined previous additions, Birchall, Jarrett, Andrew and Carole at Falmer for training. Meanwhile over the road, the stadium site had been passed by B&HCC for revised planning applications and work was actually in progress - albeit earth moving in a massive mud bath.
Brighton missed early chances to lead and paid the ultimate price. By half an hour gone, we were two down and Cumbrians defended like their lives depended on it. Ours depended on this new Adams side getting it together pdq and basically it was same old, same old. On 24 min, Anyinsah scored to rub Seagulls beaks in it. Less than five mins later (28) they'd won this fixture when notching from a f-k. Adams reshuffled by putting pegs in holes. But whether round or square, it didn't make one jot of difference for the remaining hour. They got a h-t rollocking but hey, talk about thick skinned footballers. Yeah lets, if only you could find some to love at W'dean on that Valentines day. If it was a romantic meal out, you'd send it back.
Sullivan, Virgo, Elphick, Hinshelwood (Fraser), McNulty, Forster, El-Abd, Jarrett, Carole, Andrew, Davies.
League1 P 29 . W 6 D 10 L 13 . F 33 A 45 . Pt 28 Po 21

Season 9 (H) 24/11/07 - 2-2 ~ Forster 2
Carlisle were top of the table but Brighton had gotten to within 3 points, in a mass brawl for play-off places from mid-table. We were unbeaten in seven from all competitions and had only lost once in last 13. That was against Leeds and we shoulda drawn at least but couldn't convert chances. BHA was going on to FA Cup R2 next at Torquay and had got thru to JPT s-f at Swansea in New Year. Of course getting into the Championship was a desire if not a necessity with Falmer in 3 years. Wilkins wanted to go for broke having strengthened his kids squad with Champ's class but really it was a big ask. He wanted clean sheets because we were always capable of nicking the odd one.
In a fairly even-steven first half, Carlisle shaded potential points by pinching the lead on 34 min. A clearance rebounded to 'em and they buried it, although FDM got a touch. From opening of second period Brighton foraged up-field and on 47 min, Forster went thru and smashed an equaliser. United hit back (53 min) and Albion gave up the ghost a little too easily by trying to spirit the ball away from our area. We needed an exorcist for defending like that and spectre of clean sheets disappeared as the night got dirty. GO'C was sent off for stamping (65 min) and things looked a tad scary. Ten men actually played extra bravely and flushed demons from floodlit shadows. Forster hit a divined second (84 min) and we'd had meaningful contact with the other side after all.
Kuipers, Whing, El-Abd, Lynch, Richards, Robinson (Martot), O'Callaghan, Hammond, Cox (Fraser), Savage, Forster.
League 1 P 17 . W 7 D 5 L 5 . F 23 A 18 . Pt 26 Po 7

Season 8 (H) 30/12/06 - 1-2 ~ Gatting
It rained hard during virtually the whole match and 5500 who had a seat got very wet. It was the third of a four game Xmas/New Year stint in 9 days and the other two had been losses as well. It wasn't as if B'ton had suddenly become a bad side, there were lots to be positive about but... The name of the game is professionalism and not strictly pure entertainment. Shots from distance, tricks and cross field passes look nice but basic footy gets yer goals. Albion had to wake up and smell the coffee after this triple festive hangover.
Gatting nodded B'ton ahead and were perhaps a tad fortunate on balance of play. Ref turned down a stone bonker penalty and booked Cox for diving. Albion should have increased the lead second period but didn't and Carlisle equalised thru sloppy defending. Ref later gave them a penalty and although Hendo parried, no blue and white shirt marked up quickly and they'd got a freebie second and winner. No amount of moving counters around on the game board could rescue Wilkins from the fact it wasn't tactics that beat us. We still didn't know enough to put opposition to bed earlier and therefore have an easier evening.
Henderson, Mayo (Hart), Lynch, Butters, Rents, Robinson, El-Abd, Hammond, Cox, Revell, Gatting
League 1 P 25 . W 9 D 4 L 12 . F 33 A 39 . Pt 31 Po 15

Season 2 (H) 4/11/01 - 4-1 ~ Watson 2, Steele, Zamora
Brighton were going great guns. Micky Adams wasn't getting complacent and fans felt we really were on-the-up under his guidance. Fatboy Slim would release 'halfway between the gutter and the stars' and who could argue otherwise, in a season gathering rising momentum. Albion's new Away Membership Scheme was also about to be introduced, inevitable perhaps in view of increasing numbers on the road.
A Watson cross sneaked inside a post, while Mayo's did as well but wrong end, for one - one at half time. Zamora nodded us ahead second period and Watto converted a penalty to ensure victory. Steele finished a move to flatter Seagulls, flying high over Cumbrians often up-hill attempts to level things.
Kuipers, Watson, Cullip, Wicks (Crosby), Mayo, Hart, Rogers (Melton), Carpenter, Jones (Brooker), Steele, Zamora.
D 3 P 17 . W 11 D 2 L 4 . F 31 A 15 . Pt 35 Po 2

Season 1 (H) 6/5/00 - 1-0 ~ Crosby
This was the last game of the first season at Withdean and represented something of a significant milestone. A mid-table position not far from play-off places, was perhaps disappointment for some. However, Albion remained unbeaten in 14 consecutive fixtures, which was an achievement to help launch a promotion push in the next campaign. Crosby got well forward and high up to nod in a Watson flighted ball for the winner, in a match Carlisle desperately needed points from. In the event they survived in div3 again on mere goal difference, in a three-way relegation scrap. Cullip was awarded Player of the Season, while Mayo and Hart appeared to be two die-hards left from the bad old days when we regularly finished 23rd ourselves.
Improvement from an Adams Albion side was due to the quality of players brought in and formed a nucleus of an experienced team that had gelled together but required strengthening to push on.
Walton, Watson, Cullip, Crosby, Mayo, Brooker (Thomas), Rogers, Oatway, Hart (Ling), Ramsay, Freeman (Aspinal).
D 3 P . 46 W 17 D 16 L 13 . F 64 A 46 . Pt 67 Po 11