Walsall - Home, Withdean Era
Season 12 (H) 28/8/10 - 2-1 ~ Barnes, Painter
For some illogical reason of computing, or perhaps merely A-Z, BHA forever seemed to get Walsall at W'dean in early weeks of the season. Other similarities were more diverse, like we'd got yet another manager starting a new term trying to move this club forward. Gus Poyet assembled his squad for '10/11 but lost Navarro to long term injury already. Of the old group, Kuipers, Virgo, both Wrights, Cox, McLeod, Thornhill, Forster, Crofts and Dickinson had gone. Newcomers Gordon Greer and Matt Sparrow were suspended, while Murray was lone striker in more ways than one. On the Falmer front, the place had all appearence of being finished, when viewed externally from the A27. We could hardly wait for this time next year. Btw a sum of about 100mill was expected to be the final bill. But Bloom had long pockets and so did global brand Amex, when they accepted exclusive naming rights. It was a half decent afternoon at good old Withy and 6400 odd watched.
The first half was instantly forgotten because misfiring Albion couldn't string more than a couple of passes together and didn't unduly bother Saddlers keeper. Gus had gone with 4312, where Bennett was in the hole but changed this during second period. On the hour mark he introduced Smith and we became a different team. Both backs were encouraged to overlap and we had much more width going forward. Barnes volleyed the opener (68min) following a smart run and ball across from Murray. Four minutes later Ref showed a red card to a red shirt (72m) for kicking out and tipped this fixture toward a home win. Painter heading his first goal ever to finish a great move down the right wing involving Bennett (81m). We wuz all over 'em but right at the death, conceded to ruin what seemed to be a blue & white clean sheet (92m). All in all a handy three points and any number of players coulda got on the goal trail, when reflecting on chances and on/off target stats. This time the ball broke for us and it ended in full sun with a warm feeling.
Ankergren, Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter, Battipiedi (Smith), Kishishev, Dicker, Bennett (Holroyd), Murray, Barnes.
League1 P 4 . W 2 D 1 L 1 . F 7 A 5 . Pt 7 Po 7

Season 11 (H) 8/8/09 - 0-1
Loadsa stuff went on in summer to make this season opener at home one to remember. It was a first Withdean fixture since 1999 and we also had a new team of this decade to boot. Russ Slade was confirmed as manager soon after saving us from Lg2 previously. Tony Bloom took over as chairman and Dick Knight became life president. Seventeen players left the club and ten arrived to boost a thin on the ground squad. There was not the hyped expectation of Adams second coming but it was hoped we could get to play-offs - seen thru rose coloured glasses. Btw Falmer was in a real state - of steel construction and that was something to celebrate for sure.
A lot of things had altered in ten odd months since Walsall's last visit but apparently we couldn't change the outcome anyhow. Albion were diabolical in the first 45min and talk about strangers meeting on a pitch. It was a warm and sunny afternoon and some of the 18 appeared to be on their holidays and all. On 30min Whing headed a great goal - into our net! At halftime Slade had a word and turned it around - well we kicked the other way too. But BHA couldn't score for toffee and there was plenty of frustration to chew on for over 6000 Sussex punters. Not one for the scrapbook but at least we knew their names and faces now.
Kuipers, Whing, Virgo, Elphick, J Wright, Cox (McLeod), Thornhill (Forster), Navarro, Crofts, M Wright, Dickinson (Murray).
League1 P 1 . W 0 D 0 L 1 . F 0 A 1 . Pt 0 Po 19

Season 10 (H) 20/9/08 - 0-1
Falmer plans were in for a revamp because there had been a big hike in price of steel etc since 2005 or whenever budgets were originally set. The stad was now up to 60 million and forget about super-green landscaping for a kick off. At Withdean, Micky Adams was trying to get his second revolution off the ground as well but home form was P3 W0 D2 L1 to date. Nevermind, he had an infallible game plan to reach top-six and beyond. It was a beautiful afternoon and prior to 3pm, 5700 punters were enjoying pleasant late summer surroundings in spite of credit crunches, bank crashes and dire cost of living. Still, there was always footy to lift the mood.
In short, Brighton lost this fixture and were beaten by nine men. You don't see that too often, so no point in dwelling on statistical mis-matches. On 15 min a Walsall bloke got a straight red for studs up on Cox. On 33 min one of his colleagues took Hart out in similar fashion and joined in an early bath. On 44 min Walsall scored from a f-k, headed over FDM from around the far stick. Michel can't have had an easier afternoon for many a year but was still on the losing side. You could talk forever about which, why, where, when and how but at the end of 96 minutes they'd still done us. We'd play worse and win but as every fan knows, it's goals that count and today Albion were goal-less if not completely clueless. Adams had 'em in on Sunday - what else could he do, let 'em have another fun day off?
Kuipers, Whing (Fraser), Elphick, El-Abd, Richards, Hart (Robinson), Thomson, Virgo, Cox, Murray, Forster (Dixon).
League1 P 7 . W 2 D 3 L 2 . F 7 A 8 . Pt 9 Po 13

Season 9 (H) 6/11/07 - 1-1 ~ Robinson
Brighton had been granted Falmer but falling attendances at Withdean were cause for concern. Martin Perry was doing the 'do' full-time for our proposed new stadium and Ken Brown was drafted in as MD to run the club day to day. He saw a midweek attendance of only 4700, which was a new low and musta sat and shivered. So did season ticketed faithful, who got along on a dry but chilly evening in the open air. Brighton were putting a p-o challenge in motion and even at this early stage appeared capable, following a good Saturday home win versus Luton. All we had to do was score lots of goals and rise up the table as in Championes days when sell-outs were normal.
A half decent game ensued, where Albion called the shots and Walsall ducked and dived. On 36 min yet another Albion attack resulted in a cross into the box from Martot on the left. His opposite number Robinson got there and was helped by their giant goalie going down to the wrong post. We were one - nil up and rolling on for a second. During the second session Seagulls were swooping but not feeding off chances. Some useful play on the deck opened up Saddlers comfort zone but we couldn't unseat 'em. Twelve minutes from time they scored with a Prem style strike from 25 yards and FDM was shocked to see it find the top corner. He then made a brilliant save to deny 'em an identical winner. Albion huffed and puffed but damage had been done and words flew in the dressing room afterwards. We'd chucked 2 points away.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, El-Abd, Richards, Robinson, O'Callaghan, Hammond, Martot, Savage, Forster (Cox)
League 1 P 15 . W 7 D 3 L 5 . F 19 A 13 . Pt 24 Po 6

Season 4 (H) 26/8/02 - 0-2
Prior to this August Bank Holiday fixture Martin Hinshelwood had said, 'the younger players who've played acquitted themselves extremely well. Response from the fans was positive too. I think most of us realise that while we go out and try to win every single match, we can't expect to pick up points in the same way we have over the past two seasons and now and again we will lose matches.'
Walsall fans who got along to join 6500 at Withdean, must have been surprised by both surroundings and events. Brighton had applied to open up the west, or Worthing end to accommodate away supporters. That meant the east, or railway end could also have increased capacity to take it up to 9000. There were additional proposals for new changing rooms near visitors' entries and a hospitality suite at revised home turnstiles. An extended leasing arrangement would also be provided until 2005.
Unbelievably Walsall scored twice within the first seven minutes. Aussie goalie Petterson, deputising for injured Kuipers first saw the ball hit a post before a rebound was tapped in. Then he could do nowt about a top corner shot from close. Albion had totally lost the plot and were struggling badly at this level of football. It was something of a culture shock to squad and supporters alike more used to wins than much else. Recent signing Kitson lasted for 45 min and began a season long set of injury problems. Kids had come in to try their best but this was no mean standard and everybody was in uncharted waters and sinking slowly. It nearly all kicked off around the hour mark as frustrations took hold, so Ref flashed yellows. Hinshelwood subsequently said, 'the players are an honest group of lads and I am confident they will work tirelessly to turn things around. They are not the kind of footballers who will hide away and make excuses.'
Petterson, Watson, Pethick, Cullip, Hinshelwood, Marney, Oatway, Carpenter, Brooker, Melton (Wilkinson), Kitson (Jones).
Div 1 (Champ's) P 5 . W 1 D 1 L 3 . F 3 A 6 . Pt 4 Po 19

Walsall - Away, Withdean Era
Season 12 (A) 16/4/11 - 3-1 ~ Calderon, Murray, Bennett
We'd been stuck in league1 with Saddlers for a few seasons and it seemed a very long time since we met in the old style Championship. Gus Poyet did a good job in his first full season at BHA and it was so different this term to previously. Calderon, Painter, Bennett, Dicker, Navarro were still in GP's squad from this fixture of revolution3 over a year ago. El-Abd, Elphick, and Murray also remained from years beforehand. Hart was still lurking around somewhere, while Oatway was now first team coach and Watson got to physio. Albion went to Walsall having just won promotion and a win would give us the L1 title this side of Easter with four fixtures left. Over 2300 Brighton fans travelled to Bescot and sung their hearts out.
Brighton led very early when Calderon snatched his usual goal from close in (6min). But the home outfit levelled quickly from scrappy defending (11m). The match was a tad like stalemate for rest of the half but sparked into life on turnaround. Murray notched his twenty-second of the season at the near post from Bennett's corner (47m). On the hour, Gus swapped for more attacking option with Noone and later introduced Wood. Walsall lost a man to a straight red card ten minutes from time and handed the initiative to visitors. Albion were no longer defending against a team fighting for points and created many late chances. Bennett netted a long range screamer at the death. Travelling support went mental because BHA had got the cherished title and run away with this division from an unbeaten series of twelve fixtures, with of eleven of those being wins. What a fantastic achievement for Gus and his squad to accomplish well before end of season. We deserved to be and were champions!!
Ankergren, Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter, Bennett (Navarro), Bridcutt, Dicker, Sparrow (Noone), Barnes (Wood), Murray.
League1 P 42 . W 28 D 9 L 5 . F 80 A 33 . Pt 93 Po 1

Season 11 (A) 16/1/10 - 2-1 ~ Murray, Forster
Hey, talk about lightning striking twice, this fixture nearly fell foul of er, rain rather than wet snow. Last year it was frost but this New Year was a big whiteout nationally. Walsall finally got to clear snow in the week before Saturday fixture schedule but after the thaw, there came overnite precipitation. A 9am inspection got put back to 11.30 coz there was water all over the place. About 400 B'fans attended on a pretty dismal afternoon. Gus Poyet had replaced Russ Slade and fielded two debutant full-backs. He had to do somet coz we were just above the bottom four and averaging only a point a game.
To quote teletext: 'Brighton extended their unbeaten run to four matches as Walsall tasted defeat in their first match for a month.' Albion went for it from k-o and netted early doors. Murray (8 min) converted Bennett's good ball in by rounding the keeper in predatory fashion. Against run of play, Saddlers equalised (29m) when ex-BHA Richards, got to drive thru our rearguard. Reds woke up but blues held out toward h-t. Forster then notched (37m) cleverly from a corner touched on in the area. The second period wasn't much to text Sussex by the sea about, although Virgo cleared off the line to preserve a lead. At the death, BHA were back in control and defending well versus a 433 onslaught. FDM took a kick going down to save and was one of a magnificent nine defenders in depth. Gus seemed happy too - he'd gambled and got a return at long odds against a rusty top-ten side.
Kuipers, Calderon, Elphick, Virgo, Painter, Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Navarro, Murray, Forster (Dickinson).
League1 P 25 . W 7 D 6 L 12 . F 32 A 44 . Pt 27 Po 18

Season 10 (A) 17/3/09 - 0-3
This match got postponed in the New Year freeze-up. But Adams revolution2 had gone down the pan long before 2008 ended and fans weren't very happy at Xmas. But what could we do? It was great to see Falmer as a work in progress, with contractors on site and piles of soil to be moved. However we wanted to see progress made on the pitch too, no, not at Falmer but Withdean!! Dick Knight all but said Adams was bullet-proof, so even if we went down he was in the job for years. The master plan was for Championship participation to coincide with stars of Falmer but hey, we were almost back to the gutter for this season. Then Adams was dumped after things turned frosty again after the January transfer business and before Feb was out he was too. Slade came in and attempted to save us from relegation. About 350 BHA support travelled on a cool Tuesday eve to see if he could work miracles.
It was a total disaster by half time, as Slade stood on the touchline like arranging deckchairs on the Titanic. We went to coffee three down (14, 30 & 38 min) and they were such poor goals to concede too - our grannies coulda done better in defence. Slade altered left side rearguard for the second period but apart from even-steven at the back, we'd already lost this fixture. Albion lacked any fluency going forward and there was plenty of route one to boot. Walsall soaked us up and were content to hit back quickly when all blue moves broke down - which was often. Brighton never really turned up and fans were blue in colour and mood, long before Slade went to 433 trying to relieve depression on and off the field. Nothing worked and he kept 'em back after school for detention - to sort out a few home truths on a failed away day.
Andersen, Whing, Heath, El-Abd (Elphick), Livermore (Borrowdale), Carole (Davies), Bangura, Jarrett, Cox, Forster, Owusu.
League1 P 36 . W 8 D 11 L 17 . F 42 A 58 . Pt 35 Po 22

Season 9 (A) 11/3/08 - 2-1 ~ Forster, Murray
It was five years since we'd been there so, 'Walsall on a Tuesday night' sang Brighton fans on a cold and squally evening in the West Midlands. The home outfit were 5th and B'ton 12th in Lg1 and both needed points to continue p-o challenges. Saddlers form on their turf wasn't great but Albion's away record was poor, especially recently - no wins in 7 on the road. However games in hand meant we were close to and needing 3 points for equivalent sixth place parity. Wilkins was trying to field his strongest line-up but seemed a tad light on quality. There had been injuries and his best m-f was broken up in January transfers. It had been a case of two steps forwards and one back this term anyway.
In a fairly average League1 opening, Walsall tried hard to gain an advantage by scoring first. Brighton then gifted 'em a free kick (29 min) and one of their defenders got his head in to er, head in. Five minutes later we'd levelled when Thomson fed Forster who smashed a low straight drive through goalie. Both teams trudged off knowing there was all to play for in a hellava scrap during second period performance. We huffed, they puffed but on a wet and windy night, it didn't look like the house would come down. Then ten min from stoppage Murray made contact with a Westlake cross in front of B'fans brilliant vocal support. Somehow it went in off defender and keeper. At the death Walsall saw a sub red carded for violent conduct. We appreciated all efforts to come from behind and suitably stayed to applaud heroes in yellow, 3 points and a tough but half decent exhibition to boot.
Kuipers, Whing, Elphick, Lynch, Richards, Cox (Fraser), El-Abd, Thomson, Westlake, Murray, Forster (Robinson).
League1 P 35 . W 14 D 10 L 11 . F 46 A 39 . Pt 52 Po 11

Season 4 (A) 1/2/03 - 0-1
There are many Brighton fans who particularly remember this match, as one that definitely got away. In a season of 1-0 results, we had to get more units on our side of the equation but unfortunately it tended to go the other way. Clubs who somehow we might drag into a relegation dogfight, forever seemed to find a way to escape. Those at the bottom like Wednesday, Grimsby, Stoke and Walsall constantly managed to take too many precious points off us. Even taking to the stage in blue and white stripes including blue shorts and socks, didn't help tip the balance in favour of Sussex by the deep blue sea. Albion came to this contest on an unbeaten run of four in the league and had lost four of ten others beforehand, by only a single or inevitably one goal over three promising months since that debacle at Palace in October.
Steve Coppell had gotten Dave Beasant in to be a replacement keeper for Kuipers, after he'd been injured in an FA cup-tie. To say this latest custodian was experienced probably amounted to understatement. Somebody said he was older than goalie coach John Keeley who gave up the big-time gloves in 1995. Inside seven minutes he was picking the ball out of our net from a close header and wondering about an early pension option. Albion had time on their hands to equalise in a one sided contest played on a pristine pitch. Bescot Stadium may be small but with an adjacent training pitch, facilities were very good for football. In the second half Brighton camped up the home end and created chances. Zamora headed one and fired another to ricochet off the bar. Rodger struck an upright with a drive, Brooker's effort got cleared off the line and Brighton fans held their heads in a series of heart warming but medically alarming attacks. Beasant made one necessary save but otherwise had tougher afternoons to earn some readies for retirement. Coppell said, 'Walsall had a newly laid surface because they felt it would suit their skills. At the end of ninety minutes we were the team applauded for playing better football but came away with no points.'
Beasant, Watson, Pethick, Cullip, Mayo, Brooker, Oatway (Blackwell), Carpenter (Rodger), Jones, Barrett (Hart), Zamora.
Div 1 (Champ's) P 29 . W 4 D 8 L 17 . F 26 A 47 . Pt 20 Po 24