Leyton Orient - Home, Withdean Era
Season 12 (H) 1/1/11 - 5-0 ~ Murray 3, og, Barnes
Yeah, Xmas festivities were nearly over and it was 2011 already. And did you know, we only had four and a wee bit months before the Withdean era was confined to history - read the book! Albion had played Orient six times here in lower leagues prior to date, plus a couple of JPT knockouts. Up to now, the league record was W2 D3 L1 - which wasn't too bad against regular opponents of similar status. Micky Adams got a win, draw and loss in two spells as manager. Dean Wilkins achieved a win and a draw and Gus Poyet obtained a basic nil-nil last term. Poyet was on a mission to beat all previous managers stats against all clubs, meaning he would finally take this club forward, into broad sunlit uplands at Falmer. Btw, Russ Slade was boss at O's and he got a good reception before k-o. Nearly 7200 watched on a cloudy and cold early afternoon on New Year's day.
Poyet set us up like 433 but changed to 4132 when Albion took charge of possession and went two ahead by half an hour gone. Murray first netted Wood's centre (29min). Then Orient's keeper knocked Wood's fierce cross into visitors net (30m). Shortly after turn around Murray notched again from Bridcutt's square ball thru O's area (50m). Ten minutes later GM completed his hat-trick when Bennett set him up once more (60m). Gus subbed his Asst Mgr and both strikers during this prolific period. Barnes added a fifth goal, chasing his own header to poach a bonus score (73m). Nothing went well for visitors but everything did for a rampant home eleven. Muzza got MoM and thunderous applause when subbed. Seagulls soared and you had to admire some super moves that led to creation of several chances. A boost in +gd, plus a clean sheet, helped extend Brighton's lead at top of league1. The squad was fully interchangeable and extra signings could only be of benefit.
Ankergren, Taricco (Kishishev), Greer, El-Abd, Painter, Bennett, Bridcutt, Dicker, Sparrow, Murray (Holroyd), Wood (Barnes).
League1 P 21 . W 11 D 7 L 3 . F 37 A 16 . Pt 40 Po 1

Season 12 (H) JPT r1 1/9/10 - 0-2
It's all very well having southern and northern sections in this paint pot competition but this year, these were sub-divided east and west and all. Of course, it was quite short odds to draw Orient coz alternative London rivals Millwall had gone up last term. Never mind, Wednesday night in north Brighton suburbs following August Bank Holiday, was still considered a real treat in some quarters of lower leagues. They even kicked off at 7.15pm to ensure late nights would only ensue if stalemate couldn't be broken inside 1.5 hours play. Quite whether Falmer would host such a similar spectacle was a moot point at this juncture, what with expectation for tier two involvement after a final year at woeful Withdean.
Gus Poyet had said unkind words about this competition beforehand but sent out a strong first eleven versus Russ Slade's new squad. The first half went Albion's way in all but scoreline and good approach work wasn't rewarded by a single goal. Meanwhile Orient took the lead thru ex-Seagull Dean Cox and a hefty deflection to boot (21min). It got worse immediately after the break with BHA still relaxing from a cozy dressing-room chat wiv Gus (47m). O's soon shut up shop, so GP put subs on and played out a practice match on a cool evening at the theatre of spooky trees. Murray had a penalty saved and visitors goalie played a blinder between four posts. Only three thousand dropped in to watch and even alone at a tenner a head, paid dearly to go down to the woods today for a big surprise. Hey, it was no picnic to sing about.
Ankergren, Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd (Smith), Painter, Bennett, Bridcutt, Dicker, Sparrow, Barnes (Hart), Murray (Baz)

Season 11 (H) 26/12/09 - 0-0
Falmer was one mean mother of a construction site, with more steel erections than a production line at Corus. Just as well because we were well fed up with Withdean by now and everything it stood for in the noughties. Home form was abysmal again and on this Boxing Day, it was also cold and wet to boot. Gus Poyet was upbeat as usual but had been playing to the gallery all along and how could he still get away with it? Results are what matter and how many points had he obtained at bottom of Tongdean Lane? Nearly 6700 watched a relegation scrap on a half decent pitch.
The game was a good example of English third tier footy at its most typical. Plenty of graft and not a lot else. Nobody remembered the first half. Not many can recall the second either, except for Crofts red card (70min) for a second yellow. Both sides huffed, puffed and fooked up time and again. We could still be playing and looking to score. Somebody had a game plan but as it went into action, slo-mo took hold. We were bored spectators within minutes and witness to the stifle method of play - forwards, backwards and any way you like box to box. Gus went 343 on the hour to go win it but it backfired and we nearly got mugged thru insecure holes left at the back. At the death ten men got a point but something less was too scary to think about. Welcome to 2010 and another relegation dog fight.
Brezovan, Hoyte, Tunnicliffe, Elphick, El-Abd (Murray), Bennett, Crofts, Navarro (Cox), McNulty, Dickinson, Forster (Hart).
League1 P 23 . W 5 D 6 L 12 . F 25 A 41 . Pt 21 Po 21

Season 10 (H) JPT r2 7/10/08 - 2-2 ~ Virgo, Anyinsah
Brighton go thru 5-4 on penalties.
Falmer was going to be delayed another year but perhaps it was just as well because League1 form was disappointing. Brighton hadn't yet won at home, although had beat Barnet and Man City in the LC here and were to get Derby next at W'dean. Forster and Murray, who'd been in half-decent form were injured with knee and thigh probs respectively. Virgo and Anyinsah were sent up front as replacements. Robbie Savage and Kevin Thornton arrived on loan to bolster an ailing squad. El-Abd got to start this one after coming back from injury, while Thomson went sick. Cox returned in a bid to play pukka 442.
Goals went in on 4min, from a Virgo penalty after Anyinsah was tripped on extreme edge of the area, then 14min via an Anyinsah solo strike. Then it went pear shaped. On 20min Albion nearly made it 3-0 following a corner but Orient went up the other end and headed one in. Slowly this tie began to shift in favour of visitors during a even-steven second period. On 71min O's got a pen themselves to level a tough scrap. FDM got a hand to the dead-ball kick but it kinda spun into the net. After 90+ minutes there was that proverbial shoot-out again. It was soon 4-4 but only because Virgo got a retake. Then Michel saved red-shirts 5th and El-Abd became a hero in his own paint pot competition. Brighton were thru to southern section Q-F - lucky or what?
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, Hawkins, Richards, Thornton, El-Abd, Savage, Cox, Anyinsah (Robinson), Virgo.

Season 10 (H) 30/8/08 - 0-0
Micky Adams revolution2 was getting into gear and nearly 6700 got along on a sunny day to see the new order. He'd brought five in previously to bolster ex-manager Wilkins kids squad. In rev1 of 2000 Adams had gone mainly with experience but took a punt on Kuipers and Zamora. He'd now helped Virgo return to roots and also kept Mayo and Hart on board. After a couple of decent wins away from Withdean there was every expectation for Albion to compete for an early auto promo spot. But as Adams might have said, nothing was won in August.
Brighton fans left the ground after 90 goal-less minutes somewhat frustrated. We'd got a clean sheet and a point but for the second home fixture running, could easily have lost. Albion had chances but crucially didn't convert 'em. Orient were quick on the counter and shoulda gone ahead but for Kuipers inspired blocks. Adams was considered a basic 442 coach, using wingers to launch aerial attacks. At half time he subbed Livermore and Cox and tried another pair. We were better but with no more end product than before. O's meanwhile piled on pressure and FDM was again a hero in his own game of 90+ minutes. Adams said, 'we were a bit gung ho at times.' Brighton fans thought their outfit was crap and some booing ensued from sun-stroked south standers at 4.55pm. We'd seen plenty of mundane stuff at W'dean during the era and really didn't want a repeat of average home form since returning to League1. Adams said, 'if they were quiet then that's our fault. It is an unusual stadium but I like it.' We'd love it again too if Micky could only reproduce form of 2001. That's not too much to ask then, is it?
Kuipers, Whing (Loft), Elphick, Hawkins, Richards, Cox (Robinson), Thomson, Virgo, Livermore (McLeod), Murray, Forster.
League1 P 4 . W 2 D 2 L 0 . F 5 A 2 . Pt 8 Po 4

Season 9 (H) 1/3/08 - 1-1 ~ Forster
During the week there was a Falmer presentation by Dick and Martin to bring fans up to speed on plans soon to be put into action. A hard core of Withdeanites attended to fill Hove Town Hall and if only more punters could get along to home games, D&M would've been equally as pleased. There was a string of five consecutive fixtures at W'dean and February crowds dropped to below five thousand. For this fourth home game in a row in three weeks, over 6000 turned up on a chilly but sunny spring afternoon. Wilkins was attempting to put a play-off side together after end of January transfers but previously had injury problems with a small squad. Form did pick up following a slump at Xmas and New Year and on paper B'ton was still in with a shout of making knockout phases.
Orient were also after 6th place, along with half a dozen or so other hopefuls. They gave Albion a half decent game, although from chances created we shoulda been out of sight by half time. In a game of two halves, O's upped it in second 45 min and this contest hung on a knife edge. In the 80th minute Orient broke deadlock from a breakaway, getting a free header as b&w tried to cover onrushing red shirts. Albion huffed and puffed but the ball didn't hit netting for want of trying. It looked like BHA would lose until a handball in O's area was spotted by Ref. Forster as captain in lieu of transferred Hammond, took the spot kick that was Dean's old job. The fourth official signalled 2 min of stoppage time as Brighton levelled. At the death we were after a winner while excited numbers gathered trackside to watch a frantic finale.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, El-Abd, Richards, Bowditch (Robinson), Thomson, Fraser (Dixon), Cox (Martot), Murray, Forster.
League1 P 32 . W 12 D 10 L 10 . F 40 A 34 . Pt 46 . Po 12

Season 8 (H) 16/9/06 - 4-1 ~ Reid, El-Abd, Cox, Loft
Two things of significance happened on this particular weekend. Brighton hit four goals for the first time since Boxing Day 2003. Then Brighton fans rallied en-masse on a warm Sunday afternoon outside a Lib-Dem talking shop, opposite our very own sea-front. Basically we hate Lewes District Council and their far from liberal outrages against peaceful footy fans. We want Falmer, were actually granted it once by new Labour and are not conservative in tackling undemocratic, behind closed doors assemblies. A Seagulls Party, representing more than single, social, community and local issues had been formed to fight in 2007 elections. Remember, vote out a LD Councilor - give them the big bird instead.
Leyton Orient, with five defeats from eight, left Withdean elevated to six from nine, or for stats anoraks a fatal 66.6% loss. Albion had the fortune to see an opponent dismissed from the battlefield, for a second consecutive match after initial skirmishes. Following a forceful opening, wind went out of Orient's sails immediately and B'ton took full advantage. Within a minute Reid had altered going down under into an assisted passage of play as he left O's everywhere in wake of a swell shot. El-Abd blasted a second as he strode forward in a one man wipe-out wave. On the stroke of half time, Cox put another hole below their line, that wrecked chances of Orient turning the tide. A second period splash in the surf produced plenty more fun in the sun but only one extra goal to soak up. Loft nodded in like playing with a beach ball on the shore line at sunset. Orient were awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time to spoil Kuipers kip in a hypothetical deck chair. Nothing relaxed about his responses, reflexes and routine rage though.
Kuipers, El-Abd, Santos (Fraser), Lynch, Mayo, Cox, Reid, Hammond, Frutos, Revell, Hart (Robinson).
League 1 P 9 . W 4 D 2 L 3 . F 13 A 12 . Pt 14 Po 9

Season 2 (H) 30/9/00 - 2-0 ~ Mayo, Rogers
An extra 1000 seats had boosted Withdean's capacity to 7000 and the place filled to register a 'sell out' crowd of 6731 for O's visit. To highlight a need for much bigger accommodation, fans were requested to write to Brighton & Hove City Council in support of, dare it be said infamous Policy SR25 for land at Village Way Falmer, allocated to build a Community Stadium. Inclusion in the new millennium metropolis draft Local Plan, marked a huge initial step forward for both progressive club and city.
A fourth win on the bounce and six unbeaten, had put the club into an automatic promotion place. A sublime brand of football in a physically tough division, appeared to be gaining much appreciated points. Rogers in a linkman role, headed in Watson's useful cross. Zamora who played alone up front and looked more than value for money, nudged a ball to Mayo - two-nil. There continued to be another clean sheet but an unlucky injured keeper would have to give way in future to Kuipers acclaim at no. 1. Micky Adams deservedly acquired div3 Manager of the Month award, Bob Booker and Dean White joined coaching staff, Seagulls strong reserves were flying, both Youth team performances were outstanding and it was every-bodies onward and upward.
Cartwright, Watson, Cullip, Wicks, Mayo, Rogers (Melton), Carpenter, Oatway, Jones, Hart (Brooker), Zamora.
Div 3 (League 2) P 10 . W 6 D 1 L 3 . F 17 A 10 . Pt 19 Po 3

Season 1 (H) 15/1/00 - 0-1
Christmas & New Year games had gained precious points and Albion had to push on from mid-table to try to close the gap to play-off places. 1999 had ended for over 500 Brighton fans in deliriously happy fashion, at 2nd placed Rotherham with a fantastic victory. Next, Darren Freeman did his first-of-the-new-century bit by claiming fastest goal to kick-off the year 2000. Twelve days later Leyton Orient arrived at Withdean, second from bottom with 14 defeats but having a good record in our 'local' derby. O's surprisingly pulled off a smash and grab ram-raid, east-end style. Albion tried to gain access via the back door but were thwarted by a locked defence no striker could pick. Micky Adams, far from impressed at activity in the final third, threatened changes. He wanted to lay foundations for a progressive future but lack of consistency held our previous comatose, sleeping giant back from fully awakening. Big hearts rather than large bodies were surely never more appropriate in the circumstances.
Walton, Watson, Carr, Crosby, Campbell (Mayo), Freeman, Rogers, Oatway, Aspinal (Thomas), Hart, Pinamonte
Div3 (League 2) P 26 . W 9 D 7 L 10 . F 38 A 32 . Pt 34 Po 14

Leyton Orient - Away, Withdean Era
Season 12 (A) 1/2/11 - 0-0
Another twelve months on from this corresponding fixture and what was different? Well, it was an evening match for a kick-off. Also Kuipers, Virgo, Crofts, Dickinson and Tunnicliffe were not around any more. Navarro suffered long term injury, while Elphick couldn't get a league game anyway. The big news story was, Bennett didn't go to Norwich in the transfer window. Tony Bloom refused offers close to seven figures and we all lived happily ever after. Gus Poyet had taken BHA to top of league1 and we'd got thru to FA Cup round5 to boot. Russ Slade was at Orient and keeping 'em from relegation threats like last term. He'd also drawn Arsenal in FAC5, after winning away against Championship opposition on the Saturday beforehand - just like Brighton had too. So a big clash was set up and nearly two thousand B'fans got there on a cool nite.
Well, we reached 50 points, so should be free from those relegation worries that haunted us in league1 in recent years. Having said this, Gus wasn't too happy and he said, 'we didn't look a good technical team.' The pitch was bumpy and the ball bounced everywhere during a typical L1 clash. Poyet went on, 'it was awful.' And he wasn't just talking about the turf! He continued, 'we tried to change and looked like it would work but it didn't.' Albion couldn't dominate the game and failed to take what chances fell for them. We were all glad the first forty-five were over. Before an hour was gone Gus made two subs together but these didn't inspire us to getting a right result. It kinda seemed like FA Cup hangover, while Orient did their best to win it with ex-B'ton players Whing, Cox and Revell doing ok. BHA got a clean sheet out of it and a precious point but our away form was slipping since autumn of 2010. We didn't go home happy but one point lead in L1 with games in hand coulda been worse, when all other close rivals won tonite.
Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, El-Abd, Painter, Bennett, Bridcutt, Dicker, Sparrow (Noone), Murray (Wood), Barnes.
League1 P 26 . W 14 D 8 L 4 . F 44 A 19 . Pt 50 Po 1

Season 11 (A) 6/2/10 - 1-1 ~ Murray
That January transfer window had now shut and Poyet got Holroyd in to add to Calderon, Carole, Painter and Brezovan as new-ish boys for 2010. The squad was now a bit different to our JPT tie of early Oct - see below. Wright and C Davies went out on loan, while McLeod and Livermore left the club for good. Smith had previously gone back to Scotland to keep goal and his sanity. Virgo had regained his place from Tunnicliffe but McNulty lost his to El-Abd among others. Hart was on fringes, although Murray claimed a regular spot up front as B'ton struggled in L1. We'd been left with a mountain to climb by May's summit and before it could be reached, were poss short on numbers to get us there in a hurry - should injury and suspension make in-roads on the track. On the day Forster was dropped following a transfer request. Brighton fans filled the east stand on a half decent winter's afternoon.
In the event it was a stalemate involving two bizarre goals. On ten mins O's goalie slipped at a back-pass come clearance and Murray put in the gift wrapped chance. At h-t Albion still led and were worth a bigger lead and all. Dickinson was floored in the box and it was nailed on. Ref refused appeals and sent Poyet to the stand for bad-mouthing his decision. Murray had a second written off for dodgy o/s and skied a punt my granny took in her sleep. Second period was a different story and when FDM slipped up, Ref gave a f-k for handball. It hit the wall but went to O's striker who netted. He celebrated in front of B'fans who told him to fuck off. Later he was withdrawn to loud applause from everyone. The match ground out and there was only going to be one result. BHA dropped into the bottom four by 5pm - oh, dear!
Kuipers, Calderon, Virgo, Elphick, Painter, Bennett, Crofts, Navarro, Dicker, Dickinson, Murray (Hart)
League1 P 28 . W 7 D 8 L 13 . F 34 A 47 . Pt 29 Po 21

Season 11 (A) JPT r2 6/10/09 - 0-1
Albion got a bye in r1 and travelled to rainy London for a 7pm k-o with all intention of going thru. Slade put out a strong side and introduced squad players who had been on the bench in lg1 fixtures. Jim McNulty made a comeback from serious surgery, while Glenn Murray did too after recovering from hernia probs. Over 500 B'ton fans made the trip, way out east of metropolitan rush hour, which was over a third of total gate for locals.
Harty got kicked into the air on 4mins but after that scare this tie settled down into a disciplined affair. BHA tried to put moves together during the first 45min but all that huff and puff came to nowt. There were enough stats on paper to reveal a fairly evenly matched contest but Albion's inability to grab a goal became more evident. Without Forster's regular contribution we were a blunt instrument. It was going down to the wire, or penalties at least - as both side threw caution to the wind at the death. Orient broke and nicked it one minute from time. It was a choker but we'd switched off and out went the lights. Still, everyone was back in time for an early nite and could forget this tin pot trophy for another year. Given at time of writing we were not going up and poss down!
Smith, Virgo (Tunnicliffe), Elphick, Wright, McNulty (Livermore), Davies (McLeod), Hart, Murray.

Season 10 (A) 7/3/09 - 1-2 ~ Heath
Another '08/9 fixture labelled as a six pointer, with both clubs deep in relegation trouble. How the hell we'd ended up in a worse position than in this corresponding match of two years before, nobody quite knew for sure. Adams replaced Wilkins after '07/8, who in reality had done good in less than two full seasons. But it all went tits up, with many changes of face on the pitch and now Mr Knight needed another new manager. White & Booker were holding the fort in late Feb '09 and brought in more than a few on loan during an injury crisis. McNulty was in hospital, while hamstrung Andrew went back to Palace. Kuipers, Elphick and Forster were crocked and Virgo and Cox suspended. On the Friday before, Russell Slade got the gaffers job until end of season. Half the side selected were making debuts in this crunch match.
Albion went a goal up (17 min) when Fraser's f-k was challenged for by O's keeper and Owusu. Ref let play go on and Heath notched on his debut from goal hanging. Nearly 2000 B'ton fans were happy approaching h-t, then Bangura looked lucky to escape with only a yellow for an elbow. Then Orient went up the other end and claimed a soft penalty (45+m) to go in on level terms. Unfortunately BHA weren't quite so dominant second period but had chances to nick it by full time. Late in the game (88m) Orient won this bottom of the barrel scrap with a quality strike from distance. It was a choker but we had to swallow the fact that this season was fast falling into pure fiction.
Andersen, Whing, El-Abd, Heath, Borrowdale, Fraser (Livermore), Jarrett, Bangura, McLeod (Carole), Davies, Owusu.
League1 P 33 . W 7 D 11 L 15 . F 36 A 52 . Pt 32 Po 22

Season 9 (A) 17/11/07 - 2-2 ~ Forster, Cox
There had been some changes at the Matchroom stadium - a new north stand behind a goal and dugouts opposite us to last time when in E10. There had also been talk of using that nearby 2012 Olympics arena in future but don't hold breath. On a chilly day, it had to be a lunchtime k-o due to TV schedules, where Internationals got prime slots. No Prem or Champ's today - so they got us instead. Oh, England were waiting on a result in Israel later - yeesss! B'ton meanwhile drew Swansea for a JPT semi-final amid Wembley aspirations. Wilkins was having selection headaches because we'd got a FAC replay against Cheltenham as well and his squad all wanted to play.
Albion went a goal down after 27 min when ex-Seagull Gray shat in our nest. B'ton were on the back of a run of form, with only one unlucky defeat (Leeds) in ten (all comps) or so. We'd gradually got close to play-offs and Orient were not long deposed from top spot. Nevertheless we'd held 'em and woulda gone in level but for Ref disallowing Hammond's header, then Savage's fall and appeal in the box. In the second period it was a different story and we wuz all over 'em. Robinson (58) came on and we woke up. Several players went close until Forster (68) netted a shot while goalie fumbled. Would you adam & eve it, O's went ahead again two mins later as defence back-pedalled. Cox got us a deserved leveller, heading home a rebound after Forster had hit the bar. Kuipers saved point-blank right on the final whistle - but we coulda had 3 pts with a bit of luck. Good travelling support seemed satisfied anyway - entertainment also included a streaker. All in full daylight!!
Kuipers, El-Abd, Elphick, Butters (Lynch), Richards, Martot (Robinson), O'Callaghan, Hammond, Cox, Savage, Forster.
League 1 P16 . W 7 D 4 L 5 . F 21 A 16 . Pt 25 Po 7

Season 8 (A) 13/2/07 - 4-1 ~ Hammond, Savage, Gatting, Cox.
An unfortunate defeat across in Brentford on the weekend before, had put Albion back a tad too close to the proverbial DZ. So on a very wet night in east London 3 days later, Wilkins stood in the rain and constantly bellowed instructions to our troops. About 1000 Brighton fans were helping and creating an atmosphere to boot, as locals had not even bothered to go to the library. There was a new strike pair and what pundits called a diamond in mid-field. Hey, it worked a treat - although a first goal for a long time didn't go on record until 39 min.
After the break we couldn't stop scoring and as often said, 'all goals are good' - all of these were absolute crackers. Hammond had previously picked his spot when getting forward un-marked. Savage volleyed home on the burst, from a swift counter move. Gatting then prodded in a sitter, on his backside after some tremendous Seagulls swoops. Last but not least, in the 89th minute Cox ran loose and finished low, like of free-scoring times. It was an all round super show, where O's got the run-around and only netted when we nodded off at a free kick. Wilkins got his science bit right and Hammond said, 'He has been working hard and we've been letting him down. The performance was for him and the win.'
Kuipers, El-Abd, Butters, Lynch, Rents, Cox, Bertin, Ward, Hammond, Gatting (Elder), Savage.
League 1 P 32 . W 11 D 6 L 15 . F 38 A 43 . Pt 39 Po 14

Season 2 (A) 3/3/01 - 2-0 ~ Brooker, Zamora
Three thousand Brighton fans with blue and white balloons, witnessed in the far-east capital a fantastic footy festival. Yes, actually in the Orient. Brooker cut in between two red dragons and fired a first cracker-jack finish. Zamora twisted and turned before unleashing a sting in the tail via Steele's dancing interchange of passes. Micky Adams was pleased B'ton could 'get down and play'. It is believed he was also very happy bagging a double take away.
A definite gap opened up between the three teams at the top, Chesterfield, Cardiff and B'ton and the chasing play-off pack of seven clubs. With the three quarters stage of a highly charged season about to be reached and fixtures thereafter coming thick and fast, it was more than merely nice to have a plush cushion to squeeze into that oft repaired promo hole.
Kuipers, Watson, Cullip, Crosby, Melton, Rogers, Hart, Carpenter, Oatway (Steele), Brooker (Jones), Zamora (Stant).
Div 3 (League 2) P 32 . W 20 D 4 L 8 . F 49 A 25 . Pt 64 Po 3

Season 1 (A) 14/8/99 - 2-1 ~ Rogers, Crosby
High summer, football was back home and away - let's party! There were nearly 3000 Brighton fans at Leyton Orient for the first away game of a millennium changing '99/00. As the recorded gate was 7200, we became a staggering 40% statistic sharing an east London 'stadium'. This followed an opening ground record for the very first FL div3 fixture at shirt-sleeved, warm Withdean the previous sunny Saturday. An upgraded team put together in pre-season by Micky Adams, performed again before Brighton fans; initial, permanent and previously lapsed. It really was a brand new beginning for Albion and their spirited supporters in more ways than one. Centre back Crosby used his head and Captain Rogers his nous, to enforce a will to win on a recent jinx side. A few of the lads had been around the block successfully and made it count in this very early local derby. After all, there's usually 100 miles or so to do for Seagulls, just to get on the right road for results in far flung Football League lower levels. One thing seemed certain, Adams and assistant Alan Cork had travelled a long way in terms of motivation for all concerned at brand new Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ormerod, Campbell, Hobson, Crosby, McPherson, Johnson, Freeman (Thomas), Rogers, Oatway, Hart (Newhouse), Cameron (Armstrong).
Div 3 (League 2) P 2 . W 2 D 0 L 0 . F 8 A 1 . Pt 6 Po 1