Doncaster - Home, Withdean Era
Season 9 (H) 15/3/08 - 1-0 ~ Forster
Brighton came into this match with good home form and was trying to get a play-off place. Doncaster were automatic promotion contenders and pretty formidable away from their nice new stadium. Dean Wilkins had rebuilt midfield and found his front pair to be building a partnership. Moreover both could make and take goals, which would be essential if BHA stood any chance of getting to knockout finals. Over 6000 attended, although slightly low for a game full of potential for a successful future, like our Yorkshire counterparts.
In a wet first 45 minutes, Rovers looked the part from word go and you could see why they expected promotion this term. Wilkins changed his 442 around to be more flexible like the fluid northern unit. Defending, gaining possession and attacking therefore produced more of a team performance from then. Albion tended to be narrow and not work wings without exception. Cox and Westlake got in behind strikers, while Thomson and El-Abd shielded our rearguard. On 57 min, Mayo on for injured Richards got a break going. Forster forged into the area to fall while ready to shoot. Goalie parried the spot kick but Fozzy slid in the loose ball. Rovers tried hard to level but Albion matched 'em for determination and endeavour. In fact we had better of other chances and could have run out more convincing winners.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, Lynch, Richards (Mayo), Cox, Thomson, El-Abd, Westlake, Murray, Forster (Hart).
League1 P 36 . W 15 D 10 L 11 . F 47 A 39 . Pt 55 Po 9

Season 8 (H) 7/4/07 - 0-2
It was retro day because 10 years before, we'd played Doncaster in the very last match at the long defunct Goldstone Ground. Fans turned up in all shades of BHA shirts and plenty wore sun-glasses too on a sunny and warm Easter afternoon. Season ticket applications had been sent out to the faithful and promised Gold membership was exclusive to those signing up for another term. We'd got to mid-table anonymity with Rovers and were meandering slowly toward close season. A fair number of players would be out of contract then and who wanted it next year?
Plenty of individuals had mares and Brighton looked like an ex-Conference outfit going nowhere. If that display was repeated as a norm in '06/7, we'd be staring league2 in the old boat race - like todays. Wilkins had been offered a contract for '07/8 and beyond but musta had doubts about turning this lot of potential relegation fodder into p-o contenders or better. Championship dreams? Somebody was 'avin a larf at Mr Knight's expense. Even reserves get half decent money and most of 'em would be there in another squad. Fans were not pleased to see a ninth loss at Withdean and even on a day like this one of commemoration, hated the place to chucking out time.
Flinders, Rehman, Elphick, Lynch, Mayo, Loft, Bertin (Elder), El-Abd (Fraser), Frutos, Savage, Revell (Robinson).
League 1 P 41 . W 14 D 10 L 17 . F 45 A 50 . Pt 52 Po 13

There were no fixtures in the period shown - '99 thru '06

Doncaster - Away, Withdean Era
Season 9 (A) 4/12/07 - 0-0
It was an evening game and a first for B'fans at Keepmoat Stadium, not too far off M18 J3. On a dry but chilly night, 6200 spectators got along there including about 500 b&w supporters. The placed looked ok for a Championship venue and that's where Doncaster had ambitions. They were 6th beforehand and we just behind, fighting for a p-o spot against half decent opposition. Wilkins employed his infamous diamond midfield and had 5 outfield subs - so he'd obviously thought about things. B'ton were on a decent unbeated run and intended it to continue.
Rovers played well in build up but our back line was immense and Hammond got used as an extra blocker just ahead in mid-field. Brighton had chances, although pretty fleeting in the first half. After a pep talk, Albion attempted to get into Donny's box a tad more. But priority was to stop the home outfit, so early creativity disintegrated into route 1. Cox went close with a shot and Hammond and Lynch with on target headers but no score. Forster was chopped over the spot but Ref said no - Foz said, 'f*c£'. Savage also got done by cynical shirt pulling and we've seen 'em given on other occasions.
Kuipers, Whing, El-Abd, Lynch, Richards, Martot (Loft), Fraser (Reid), Hammond, Cox, Savage, Forster (Revell).
League 1 P 18 . W 7 D 6 L 5 . F 23 A 18 . Pt 27 Po 7

Season 8 (A) 25/11/06 - 0-1
A first meeting for a number of years, actually since '98 when we finished second bottom in old div3 but only Rovers then went down to the Conference, as per rules of those days. Here we are again, both in league 1 and guess what? Donny will move into their 21st century stadium at New Year. Doesn't it just stir the blood! Meanwhile Lewes DC are screwing BHA in a prolonged series of delaying exercises, intent on seeing us in Administration during their political tenure. They hope B'ton run out of money before they have to face important local elections - and maybe lose. They gotta be stopped somehow.
Brighton were the better side in this dour, lower league 'friendly' farewell to patched up Bell Vue. We should have won but were in such a stupor for much of the first half and fell behind to an ex-Albion McCammon header at the far post. He never seemed to be able to do that at Withdean, or all points north when in the Championship. Wilkins was fielding perhaps his preferred side, or at least one getting a run of appearances and slowly gelling. The pitch was soft but we were off the pace anyway compared to recent displays. The second half was like beating your head on an aged venue wall - it was quite demolishing.
Henderson, Whing, Hinshelwood, Butters, Lynch, Fraser (John), El-Abd, Hammond, Cox, Revell, Robinson (Gatting).
League 1 P 19 . W 7 D 3 L 9 . F 24 A 28 . Pt 24 Po 13

see note in (H) above.