Post-match report for our last game: Leicester, Saturday, 7th December 2013
Brighton v Leicester
PITCHSIDE NOTEBOOK; from the Amex, Falmer.
RESULT; 3-1 ~ Barnes 2, Conway . SHAPE; 4-2-3-1. PITCH; better than nature intended.
WEATHER; settled and cool . GATE; 27,497 . REF; got the most important decision right.
ATMOSPHERE; in cruise mode until opposition mounted a comeback, then more north stand vocals needed.
TEAM; . . . . Brezovan
. . Bruno, Greer, Upson, Ward
. . . Crofts, Bridcutt, Ince
. . . David, Barnes, Conway
BENCH; Walton, Andrews, Agustien, Calderon, Lita, El-Abd (16), LuaLua (74)
Saturday afternoon is for sport - participation or entertainment - but at this time of year other circumstances tend to dictate that weekend expenses could be diverted elsewhere. Enough season ticket holders turned up to muster a devoted audience and still give semblance of preparation for what festivities lay ahead.
Oscar Garcia thought about what he should do following a horrendous defeat at the Amex in midweek against the bottom club. Si amigo, vamos; quarto, dos, tres, uno. Ince lined-up alongside Bridcutt and Crofts supported lone striker Barnes at home again. David and Conway stayed out wide. Kuszczak was named numero uno but Brezovan stood between posts.
A minutes applause in memory of Nelson Mandela took place before kick-off.
GOALS; 9 min. David got the assist when storming down the channel and providing a ball to the far post for BARNES. 1-0 - more of a positive start on this occasion.
28 min. David again worked magic by finding CONWAY with a inch-perfect pass. 2-0 - the top side were being outplayed by a middle-order outfit.
64 min. a f-k awarded in dubious fashion was sent to the far post and headed inside an upright. 2-1- opposition were expected to mount a rally.
77 min. Ref blew up when Conway found BARNES who got decked. He blasted the spot kick home. 3-1 - thank you for coming and good evening.
SUBS; Greer pulled up lame after about fifteen minutes and El-Abd fitted in seamlessly. He has not had an app recently but done good today. LuaLua returned from injury and was eased into this intriguing contest for a final fifteen minutes or so. David also played well, although it did not stop him being replaced. Ince grows in stature throughout midfield, which is difficult for a tall guy in that position. Brezovan was mentioned in dispatches for conduct over and above well keeping.
MOM; Barnes got the nod and you have to hand it to him figuratively as well. He ran about a lot and took a battering to boot. It was almost a complete team performance today, in marked contrast to that midweek debacle.
IST GUY SAID; +the difference in our display today was unreal when you consider Garcia made just one change from Tuesday night+
2ND GUY SAID; +Leicester provided a more open contest and we played at pace that suited our movement and tactics. Seagulls were free flowing against a top-flite club+
FS
