Huddersfield - Away, Withdean Era
Season 12 (A) 11/12/10 - 1-2 ~ Murray
Well, the thing Brighton fans were chewing over was, could this be a grudge match? In five fixtures at Galpharm, results were W2 D1 L2 and there was all to play for. Micky Adams had left BHA originally when Martin Hinshelwood took a very good Albion outfit to win in Yorkshire - on its way to div1. Dean Wilkins got a win and loss there, while also trying to elevate Albion a second time of asking. Russ Slade bagged a grim draw during the great escape but got hammered up north last term. Gus Poyet had his turn to shine now and get some points made, both practical and personal. It was a nice winter day and over 850 Seagulls fans travelled, in a crowd of just under 15k.
From the off, Town attacked and put us in peril. But on half an hour, Murray went thru and got decked. He took the spot kick but goalie saved, so we went to coffee goal-less. In the second period, Murray supposedly was on the end of a centre down in front of visiting support (54 min). Terriers bit back straight way with a free header from a f-k (56m). Poyet subbed twice around the hour mark, with both side battling ahead in cut and thrust action. It started to get tense and the home fans went mad when their outfit sneaked a late lead during a melee (84m). Poyet immediately responded, introducing Sandaza and going 433 from 4132. Albion pushed right up and with 5min of stoppage, bombarded Huddersfield's net. Even Ankergren was sent forward at corners. We had chances but couldn't notch an equaliser. HTFC Keeper just about caught one that BHA strikers claimed crossed the goal line. There was a bit of pushing and shoving at the death and Ref remained active, although he wasn't too popular with either sets of supporters. It was hard to stomach defeat, when even-steven shoulda been the result and woulda kept adding to points total at head of affairs.
Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, El-Abd, Painter, Bennett, Kishishev (Smith), Bridcutt, Dicker (Sandaza), Wood (Barnes), Murray.
League1 P 19 . W 10 D 6 L 3 . F 31 A 15 . Pt 36 Po 1

Season 11 (A) 18/8/09 - 1-7 ~ Dickinson
Brighton fans were not giving our season too much hype, at least not like last term when Adams came back to do the do - or not, as it turned out. Anyway it had not exactly been a good start to the season and we'd already lost at home. A beating at Swansea in LC1 made us look very average and a point at Brentford exposed our lack of goals scored. This fixture was a third consecutive away in a week. But Falmer was underway and we had a new squad to watch, so things weren't that bad were they?
Brighton had Kuipers sent off and crashed to a humiliating defeat, conceding seven goals in total. These were logged at 21min, 35, 43 (pen and FDM off), 64, 69, 73 and 90+. It was the biggest beating for a BHA eleven since Goldstone days of the seventies. There were some defensive howlers as Town carved us open without putting pedal to the metal. Russell Slade was well and truly in the shit and all that media stuff about him being the man to get us to the Championship appeared as a load of tosh. Somebody somewhere had made serious mistakes but who could we pin it on to take the fall? Dickinson (34) got his and our, first and to date only score, of this questionable season. So far, no good.
Kuipers, Whing, Virgo, Elphick, El-Abd, J Smith (G Smith), Crofts, Navarro (Thornhill), Cox, McLeod, Dickinson (Forster).
League1 P 3 . W 0 D 1 L 2 . F 1 A 8 . Pt 1 Po 23

Season 10 (A) 25/4/09 - 2-2 ~ Andrew, Owusu
This was probably the biggest away match for some seasons because if we got points here it would def help with staying up. Somehow Slade had finally got our mob motivated and putting in performances, to make yer proud of blue & white instead of slagging 'em like before. We'd gone to Hereford, Colchester and Bristol R in April and won. Only poxy home form had bolloxed us up from being safe by Easter. But hey ho, bring it on - and they did... It was a nice sunny afternoon and 1200 B'fans turned up in a gate of 14k.
In the ninth minute OGH went off injured and we wondered if Albion's fighting spirit would suffer. B'ton fell behind (16m) to a far post header that got over FDM and was almost cleared on the line. Andrew equalised not long before h-t also from a header at a corner. Town hit us on the break (52m) and it went in low inside a post. But BHA plugged away and levelled again (66m), when Owusu dived to nod in a Cox centre from a Whing long throw. We didn't deserve to lose but prob hadn't enough to snatch three points. Seagulls were sailing very close to the wind and coulda sunk at any time. The great escape was still on but only just. Support was good but we got a tad nervous towards the end as other results came thru by phone, text, radio and carrier pigeon in Yorkshire.
Kuipers, Whing, Virgo, Elphick, Borrowdale, Loft, Fraser, Dicker, Cox (McLeod), Hart (Andrew), Owusu (Davies).
League1 P 45 . W 12 D 13 L20 . F 54 A 70 . Pt 49 Po 20

Season 9 (A) 18/3/08 - 1-2 ~ Forster
BHA were on fringes of play-offs and this fixture was a rearrangement from Feb due to Town's FAC commitments. Wilkins men were on a half decent run of form, while trying to break into p-o spots with a slightly dodgy away record. Hudd'fld were pretty much mid-table. Over 300 Albion supporters got along to west Yorkshire on a cold Tuesday night in a gate of merely 6k. Wilkins was picking his best eleven and rotating subs to get 'em involved. He'd lost Richards to a hamstring prob but Mayo came in and hey, business like yesteryear - before he got to 400 apps. So Butters also got to be a sub, although he and other fringe players now found it very hard to get selected.
Town scored inside 3 minutes as B'ton appeared static to cut and thrust. Albion worked themselves back into the game and FDM got tested to boot. On turn-around, Murray went down in the area and Forster (47 min) converted his fourth spot kick in 6 matches, having also netted in a fifth. This game swung toward visitors who began to dominate. We had any number of attempts to set up and take the lead, also dealing comfortably with Towns sporadic attacks. Brighton failed to notch a winner and the game drifted into a typical one-one draw. Ten minutes from ninety Ref gave the home mob hope by awarding a dodgy penalty. Wilkins threw on Robinson, and Gatting and shaped like 334. El-Abd was then carried off with knee damage. Murray hit a post with a diving header and we still missed easy chances to level it at the death. Quite how we got nowt and missed a trick is still to be explained.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, Lynch, Mayo (Robinson), Cox (Gatting), Thomson, El-Abd (Fraser), Westlake, Murray, Forster.
League1 P 37 . W 15 D 10 L 12 . F 48 A 41 . Pt 55 Po 9

Season 8 (A) 28/10/06 - 3-0 ~ Robinson 3
Jake Robinson bagged a hat-trick and it's been a while since that happened in and around BHA. He opened with a header, followed up seven minutes later with a fierce volley and then sealed a magnificent away win, with a solo effort before the 50th minute. Quality was real from the outset at Galpharm Stadium, which isn't new but an apparent icon for long suffering B'ton fans aspirations. Albion pushed the ball from side to side, were very fluid and opened Terriers up with perfect passing. Our defence was keeping it tight, which enabled Hendo a clean sheet for once. 10,000 tykes were stunned by our brilliance and had their own Withdean non-atmosphere under a large curved roof. Brighton fans larged it up and sang 'Sussex by the sea' again and again. We weren't even too outraged when Town reverted to dirty northern bastards tactics and a home bod got sent off at the death. What a day to remember.
Henderson, Whing, Hinshelwood, Butters, Mayo, Fraser (Hart [Lynch]), El-Abd, Hammond, Cox, Revell, Robinson (Rents).
League 1 P 16 . W 6 D 3 L 7 . F 21 A 24 . Pt 21 Po 15

Season 3 (A) 13/10/01 - 2-1 ~ Zamora, Hart
The Galpharm Stadium models for Falmer in West Yorkshire and was a McAlpine special project, so Albion should know a thing or two about it. The Terriers made it their territory and have terrorised a few visiting teams there in recent years. Brighton turned up on the 13th for game no. 13 with over 1300 faithful, in an audience of nearly er, 11k. Although dressed like locals in b&w stripes, they cheered their red and black away strip heroes, banished bad luck and lived the dream. Albion deservedly won a competitive match on merit, presumably being self-motivated following departure of boss Adams to Premiership coaching delights. BZ smashed a quality strike home and Harty bagged the spoils, driving in from 20 yards. The team showed guts and determination all across the field. Caretaker Hinshelwood added to his record in charge as a hot standby. Chairman Dick Knight had a lot to think about. Primarily a paper sift of candidates for manager of sleeping giants BHA and planning applications for stadium sites at Village Way, both north and south - the second a supplemental situation within B&H boundaries. So it was, give us a manager, a stadium and a B but not necessarily in that order.
Kuipers, Watson (Pitcher), Cullip, Morgan, Mayo, Hart, Carpenter (Rogers), Oatway, Brooker (Jones), Steele, Zamora.
Div 2 (League 1) P 13 . W 7 D 4 L 2 . F 18 A 11 . Pt 25 Po 3

Huddersfield - Home, Withdean Era
Season 12 (H) 30/4/11 - 2-3 ~ Barnes, Sparrow
This was the very last scheduled home fixture during that infamous Withdean era. Anybody who felt sentimental about the aforesaid decrepit temporary residence needed their heads examined for signs of post traumatic sports complex syndrome. But you know, the old fortress was a theatre of trees in leafy suburbs and not that bad in warm spring sunshine. Our mood was lightened knowing we'd be playing in the Championship at Falmer, merely three odd months before next term. Gus Poyet was a man for all seasons and already a BHA legend at the bottom of Tongdean Lane. On the day over 8400 turned up and quite enjoyed BHA being presented with the league1 trophy. Adam El-Abd was voted PoY.
Brighton went behind quickly when not defending properly in the area (8min). We went to the interval a goal behind but hit back immediately when Benno got decked. Barnes had his pen almost saved but nutted the rebound in (47m). Town went ahead again when Calderon blundered at a cross (61m). Gus sent on Hart and Sparrow in response (65m) and Spadge scored from Harty's back heel to send him thru (69m). OGH had been released by Poyet and got good support from an entertained audience. He might have notched but it went straight to goalie's hands. At the death, Town snatched a winner with Albion wobbling again in rearguard. Players returned for a lap of honour and celebrations for being numero uno, despite a reversal for the final game after twelve long years.
Brezovan, Calderon, Greer, Elphick, Painter, Bennett, Bridcutt, Dicker, Noone (Sparrow), Wood (Hart), Barnes
League1 P 45 . W 28 D 10 L 7 . F 84 A 39 . Pt 94 Po 1

Season 11 (H) 9/2/10 - 0-0
Hey, it was one of the coldest nights we could remember in over a decade of evening games at W'dean. You needed layers and then more to be free of frostbite. Only 4700 turned up and there was no threat of snow either. The chip van did a trade and hot coffee was a must, as opposed to a skinful before entering turnstiles. Brighton fans were nothing if not long suffering and home form was truly, madly and deeply flawed with, W2 D2 L9 figs prior to k-o. Gus Poyet was in dispute with Nicky Forster concerning a contract offer and appeared under pressure, following an extended honeymoon period. He'd never been a manager before and wanted to impose strong, if somewhat dictatorial leadership. He was rebuilding and desperate to find a winning eleven who could rise above the drop zone.
In all honesty the first half is best forgotten and typical of abysmal displays at bottom of Tongdean Lane this term. If Town had been sharper, they might have nicked a lead too. GP's revised 442 with two wingers and ex-Conf new boy on full debut, didn't exactly set our suburban sports complex alight. You couldn't blame our infamous open-air pitch either, which weathered frosty conditions well. In a better second period, Albion pounded Terriers goalmouth, without perhaps giving 'em real grief in the box. Chances came and went and came once more and er, went again. On the hour, GP put Murray on and later restored Dicker (75m) to boost m-f. But the vital link, or telling pass or cross, failed to materialise and Town held out. We'd seen this happen so many times, they were refusing to take bets on any B'ton goal at W'dean in near future. Surely time would tell but when for God's sake.
Kuipers, Calderon, Virgo, Elphick, Painter, Bennett, Navarro, Crofts, Carole (Dicker), Dickinson (Murray), Holroyd.
League1 P 29 . W 7 D 9 L 13 . F 34 A 47 . Pt 30 Po 19

Season 10 (H) 22/11/08 - 0-1
People were on the Falmer site digging trenches. However it was more like Time Team than a community inspired football team building project. Still, it was nice to know, finally we were gonna be a works in progress. On the Withdean pitch, Brighton had overcome lack of wins with two home victories beforehand. Away form had been indifferent and we'd also been bundled out of the FA Cup in a northern replay - see index. This was the last Saturday afternoon k-o before Friday night games in December and we needed a victory to get out of mid table. The afternoon was very cold and you also needed a warming drink prior to taking a wind-chilled plastic seat. Adams was trying to find his best eleven and on paper, today was supposed to be the day.
It was nil-nil at half time and only Town knew how coz Albion didn't have a clue. At any level if you get chances to score - do it! Huddersfield did us on the break soon after the er, break and had nicked it. They got a simple tap-in to lead (50m) with 40min to hold out. Albion hit 'em with the proverbial kitchen sink but their keeper played a blinder. Forster had a pen saved but at least Ref gave it coz he was also dodgy in the extreme. Johnson smashed a thunderbolt onto the bar and Thornton's effort was saved. Fleetwood went thru but goalie got a hand on it. Shit happens and after a pile of crap, our sewer was well and truly blocked as we looked for a free outlet. Adams cursed his luck as he dumped lots with paper in private and caused a right old stink.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, Virgo, Richards, Anyinsah (Fleetwood), Thomson, Johnson, Thornton, Murray, Forster.
League1 P 17 . W 4 D 7 L 6 . F 23 A 26 . Pt 19 Po 17

Season 9 (H) 19/1/08 - 1-1 ~ Elphick
Brighton entered 2008 getting a lucky win at home to Bournemouth in stoppage, before dumped out of FAC3 by Mansfield at Withdean and k-o in JPT s-f from Swansea in Wales. Albion had also scraped a draw at Oldham courtesy of a last seconds equaliser. Indeed BHA scored very late versus Torquay (FAC2), Carlisle, Cheltenham (JPT & FAC1), Luton, Hartlepool and Southend. Unfortunately is had become a bad habit and you know where those lead. O'Callaghan went home, Savage left out of contract but Richards came back from Xmas and New Year in Ipswich. Hammond was suspended like Fraser and Lynch crocked, like Hinshelwood. Robinson had a foot problem and new boy McFaul sidelined with other kids. Butters and Mayo were around but benched with warm blankets and books on life after footy.
Brighton should have scored early but wouldn't and paid a price in two lost points. It took until 74 min before Elphick jumped high to head his and our first goal and maybe Wilkins went for grinding it out. Huddersfield hit back moments later (77) with a direct strike to the top corner from a top drawer Prem style f-k. The thing is they might have won it, having missed chances your granny would grab. The onus is on home sides to do the do and we didn't. Subs came on too late to make a difference and Hart got sent off for handbags on final whistle. Ref was a er, twit but we'd been undone by failing to reach standards expected of a Champ's unit in the making. Brighton was floundering in a sea of mediocrity, marking time until Falmer became reality. Wilko cried himself to sleep and Mr Knight couldn't, worrying about agents fees, play-off nightmares and Falmer presentations.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, El-Abd, Richards, Martot (Elder), Thomson, Reid, Cox, Revell (Hart), Forster.
League 1 P 25 . W 9 D 8 L 8 . F 32 A 29 . Pt 35 Po 12

Season 8 (H) 24/3/07 - 0-0
Getting a win at Withdean this season was like getting blood out of a stone. The only red, apart from Town's lary strip was a card for one of 'em. That occurred a tad over the hour and was the first bit of real stirring in the veins for Brighton fans. Our mob were pretty pedestrian and played like end of season holidays started on Monday after. On a cold, bleak afternoon, even Gully's Girls raised little enthusiasm. Ref got some abuse as an easy target but Albion coulda lost this, they were that slow, to and on the ball. A half decent outfit would have murdered us.
Wilkins could see they were going through the motions and he let rip in the shower before hospitality duties. It caused a stink but certain units weren't doing the do. That is, whatever formation he attempted, diamond, 442, 433 or 343 against 10, we didn't or couldn't score. A lot of contracts were up at the end of season sale and Brighton couldn't go forward based on the present squad. The moral being along the lines of, silk purses and sows ears. Yes, it was a pig of a day too.
Flinders, Rehman, Butters, Lynch, El-Abd, Cox (Loft), Bertin, Robinson, Hammond, Revell (Gatting), Savage (Elder).
League 1 P 39 . W 13 D 10 L 16 . F 43 A 48 . Pt 49 Po 15

Season 3 (H) 16/2/02 - 1-0 ~ Lewis
Loan signing Junior Lewis started his first complete match for Brighton and Hove Albion, headed the winner and for one so tall, also impressed as an attacking midfielder. Leon Knight, then an on loan Terrier, tried to reach similar up-front high balls but thankfully fell short on this occasion. Perhaps the fixture could be regarded as a result Albion had to grind out. We needed to beat such strong sides to progress. Nobody in div2 wanted to roll over to new boys from the backwoods, who could play just a bit. In the last nine games since New Year, we'd met seven from top half of the division and lost to three. None of those '02 contests ended in a draw either. It had been a testing winter and even promotion purists, preferred a pragmatic approach to play off points versus perfect performance. Peter Taylor, who constantly cajoled supporters to vocal backing, was minding p's and q's, prior to a run-in that could set the seal on his style of motivation and management.
Kuipers, Watson, Cullip, Morgan, Pethick, Melton, Carpenter, Lewis, Brooker, Hart, Zamora.
Div 2 (League 1) P 33 . W 18 D 10 L 5 . F 46 A 33 . Pt 64 Po 2