Thetownend.com

The Opponent: Brighton and Hove Albion

Following the correct score prediction from my boy and the correct amount of visiting supporters for last Saturday’s pre season friendly against a woeful Crewe, I think this could be our season. To add to the positivity, the piss stained inbreeders from up the A420 are currently sat firmly at the bottom of the entire Football League and heading for a reunion with the Gasheads next season in The BSP, their natural home. Funnily enough, I know of at least 3 of the backward tools that read our matchday threads, why?, I really don’t know, but hello John Lennon and comrades and I look forward to the copying and pasting of my efforts on you’re tinpot forum in due course, Previous experiences may prove otherwise but I would love to play their shower of shit right now. Under the Di Canio regime we really didn’t have any regular starters that gave a shit about Swindon. I would imagine 1, if not both of the Thompson brothers would start crying if they were in a team that lost at home to Oxford. Things feel a bit different now, we have a team that shows maturity beyond their years and a sense of togetherness on the pitch. The manager has done well with what he has in my opinion, well done Mark Cooper and the team.

Anyway, Brighton in the 2nd Round of the League Cup. The ancient settlement of Brighthelmston dates from before the Doomsday Book (1086), but it emerged as a health resort during the 18th Century and became a destination for day-trippers after the arrival of the railway in 1841.  In June 1514 Brighthelmstone was burnt to the ground by French raiders during a war between England and France.  Brighton experienced rapid population growth reaching a peak of over 160,000 by 1961. Modern Brighton forms part of a conurbation stretching along the coast, with a population of around 480,000. The locals are considered to be an environmentally friendly bunch having elected the one and only Green Party MP in 2010, party leader Caroline Lucas. She seems a nice enough lady but reminds me of a vegetarians fart for some reason.

Brighton & Hove Albion played at the Goldstone Ground for 95 years until they were forced to sell it in 1997 to pay off debts. The club spent two years ground-sharing at Gillingham (caravans not included) before returning to the town as tenants of the Withdean Athletics Stadium. The AMEX Stadium was put together by The Buckingham Group, the same firm who built Stadium: Franchise. The club's notable achievements including winning promotion to the Football League First Division for the first time in 1979, staying there for four seasons, during the last of which they reached the FA Cup final and took Manchester United to a replay before losing 4-0. Notable former managers of the club include Brian Clough, Peter Taylor, Jimmy Melia, Liam Brady, Jimmy Case, Steve Gritt, Brian Wanker Horton, Steve Coppell and Mark McGhee. Notable former players include Gareth Barry, Dave Beasant, Justin Fashanu, Dennis Mortimer, Gordon Smith, Frank Stapleton, Howard  Wilkinson and Bobby Zamora. Current boss is former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia.

Last Time Out – Saturday 22nd August, Championship. Brighton 2  Bolton 1. Brighton proved they have some decent attacking options which managed 26 shots (11 on target) against Wanderers. Mackail-Smith scored the 1st and the winner was scored by the highly rated Joao Teixeira, currently on a season long loan from Liverpool.
Starting XI – Stockdale, Calderon (Lua Lua 67’), Bennett (Chicksen 74’), Crofts, Greer, Dunk, Bruno, Holla, Mackail-Smith, Teixeira (Ince 84’), Forster-Caskey. 2 double barrelled named strikers? They must cash in when it comes to getting the names on the shirts.

They have served us both –  Grant Hall, harry Egan, Paul Crichton, Sam Brown, Steve Book, Ernie Beecham, Calvin Andrew, George Barker, Trevor Benjamin, Peter Brezovan, Ray Clarke, Ian Culverhouse, Wayne Gray, Ryan Harley, Ken Beamish, Harry Bentley, Arnold Broadhead, Glenn Cockerill, Peter Downsborough, Gordon Greer, Fred Hawley, Bob Innes, Yasser Kasim, Phil King, Peter Leggett, Bertie Lyon, Mick McGovern, Ian Muir, Ray McHale, Craig Maskell, Junior Lewis, Dan Kirkwood, Jimmy Kennedy, Albert Jarrett, Darius Henderson, Chris McPhee, Mark McCammon, Martin Ling, Tony Knight, Stewart Kerr, Fred Jones, Ron Howell, Alan Navarro, Kieran O’Regan, Lionel Piggin, Ossie Randall, Anton Rodgers, Bobby Smith, Dai Thomas, Bryan Wade, Garry Nelson, Billy Paynter, Gustavo Poyet, Raphael Rossi Branco, Andy Rollings, Jack Smith, Norman Thomson, Danny Wilson, Denny Mundee, Joe O’Brien, Andy Petterson, Chris Ramsey, Alex Revell, George Rushton, John Templeman, Wilf Tranter, Mark Yeates. Strewth.

One From The Past – Swindon Town 4  Brighton 1 - 9th November 1994 – League Cup 3rd Round Replay – Att: 6,482  A goal apiece from Keith Scott and Jan Fjortoft in the opening eight minutes gave Town a great start after the first match was drawn 1-1 and they both scored again in the second half to secure a comfortable victory over Brighton. Of our 3 previous League Cup meetings we have won 2 and drawn the other.

The Odds –   Swindon 2/1 Draw 12/5 Brighton 13/8 – Michael Smith is as short as 5/1 with several outlets but Coral are currently offering 7/1 if he scores first. Greer is 50/1 with Tote Sport to score 1st, 33/1 elsewhere.

The Son Says – After his correct prediction from Saturday he thinks he could be on a roll. 3-0 victory.

The Prediction – I see our decent start to the season being put to the test by a strong Brighton team although we should have enough to see them off. 3-2 Town, 2-2 after full time, Smith and Williams with a goal each and a Branco towering header in the 123rd minute. 4’765 in attendance, 355 from Sussex.

And Finally – In 2012 it was revealed that the Brighton and Hove unitary authority has been permanently banned from accessing information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. This information is normally made available to local authorities for purposes such as enforcing parking fines, but access can be withdrawn if they are found to be misusing the service. The Big Brother Watch organisation, which obtained the information about the ban under a Freedom of Information request, claimed that "the public are right to be worried that their privacy is at risk across a range of government services”

COYR COYR COYR COYR

2-1 Town, Smith & Williams.

5032 (401).

I can't see Sami hypia resting players for this and they have won their last 3 games. If we win it will be quite an upset, here's hoping! I'd take a draw and win on penalties would be quite fitting. Their new Spanish striker is struggling to get a work permit in time, which is a shame. A night game at the county ground would be quite a welcome to England.

Good opening rant!

Be a good game, tonight. We will nick it on pens.

6230 with 730 Gulls

Hopefully Luongo will be back, but not sure who I'd drop. Thompson perhaps - hard to drop Gladwin after a decent performance on Saturday. Otherwise, stick with what we have.

Won't discount a win, as you never know with these early season cup games, but I don't expect it. I think their forward line will enjoy our back 3. I'll go 2-2 in normal time, with their stronger bench proving vital and an extra time winner from a sub.

They seem to be coming into a bit of form. Lets be honest they should beat us really, but it will be close. 1-2 defeat.

I think this is where our back line will be found out, which will add urgency to our defender hunt. 1-3.

Denny Mundee, now there's a name for the obscure list. Did he ever get a game for us? Surprised he even had another club.

0-1 defeat 6,103 with 426 Brightoners there.

3-0 to Brighton, two of the goals in the last 10 minutes as we chase game.

1-3, 4800 in attendance

Fancy us to win. what is our record in the last 3 years against higher league opposition?

I think Brighton might be too strong. Hopefully we will put in a good performance however.

0-2.

I am hoping that Hyypia is true to his word and plays a lot of the younger less experienced players tonight, if they don't take it seriously then we can certainly surprise them again as we did a couple of years ago.

Town win.
Town get amazing home tie against big hitter.
Fans magically reappear.


I'm as I was against Luton, very relaxed.

I was going to be there tonight with the boys, but my one of my nieces has organised a birthday meal in Melksham. We only see her once a year or so, so the football has gone by the wayside.

Lightweight

BHA just announced the signing of Gary Gardner, straight into the squad for tonight. Great potential but struggled massively with injuries.

Get Louis or Nathan to give him a swift kick in the first 5 mins, he wont enjoy that.

Some fucker spiked my roll up I think.

Confident. 2-0 town (Smith and Gladwin) 6502 fans

Result!  We're playing Crewe again!..Well that's what the Adver says anyway!

Looking forward to this. Not hopeful off a result but you never know. I bet the Batty Boys will be jealous of our shirt sponsors.

Also said tonight that Brad Smith had his best game of the season on Saturday!!  Things can only get better!!

Hurray the Advers woken up!

You're D:Ream'ing

Town starting XI: Foderingham, Branco, Thompson N (C), Turnbull, Byrne, Kasim, Thompson L, Luongo, Smith B, Williams, Smith M #STFC

Subs: Belford, Barthram, Marshall, Holland, Gladwin, Waldon, Barker #STFC

Foderingham, Branco, Thompson N (C), Turnbull, Byrne, Kasim, Thompson L, Luongo, Smith B, Williams, Smith M

Subs: Belford, Barthram, Marshall, Holland, Gladwin, Waldon, Barker

Doh beaten again :)

Yeah, luongo

Looks like Williams has pushed Gladwin to the bench then.

Brighton: Ankergren; Calderon, Hughes, Dunk, Chicksen; Ince, Forster-Caskey, Crofts; LuaLua, Colunga, O’Grady

Only 4 players that started at the weekend playing tonight. They have clearance for Colunga in the end then.

Right call IMO, although Gladwin has played alright he does flatter to deceive a little. At times he is too greedy and over complicates things resulting in him being slow to release or pass the ball. A lot of the good things he does could have been achieved 5 seconds earlier by a simple pass, not sure anyone knows what his exact position will end up being yet.

Well more importantly you don't drop a confidence player like Williams after he bags 2 in 2

Parkin back on co-commentary again. Can't wait for the texts from BBC Wilts listeners after the game saying "we need SSP back".

I don't wish this very often but I hope Manchester United win 6-0.

hoping for a good performance tonight, have enjoyed our league cup runs in recent years

Bugger.

shite

1-0 down in our cup final...well, as Hyypia would have us believe.

Cracking goal to be fair. We've been the better team in attack.. Slightly.

Cracking goal too by Rohan Ince according to SSP.

We still sound lively with Smith missing a couple of chances.

Twitter commentary looks quite positive?

This isn't free to air on BBC Wilts by any chance is it?

Normally is on FM, but not DAB/Online.

We're going to win this

We are doing everything except scoring.

I like this optimism :-)

3-1  aet

Williams is broken again

Hate having to rely on twitter for updates!...Fucking night shifts.

Comfortably the best team. Created loads. Still losing 1 0. That is all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28847954

This is quite good, shows stats as well as commentary.

Possession Swindon 65% - 35% Brighton
Shots Swindon 8 - 3 Brighton
On target Swindon 0 - 1 Brighton
Corners Swindon 4 - 0 Brighton
Fouls Swindon 2 - 4 Brighton

who's the new morshead on twitter?

Sounds positive.

Disappointed that the football thieves are beating Man Ure.

and we are still shit at corners.

Interesting, SSP and the radio comms chap said the short corner routine was working well recently.

Good 1st half, we're the better side, should be level. Just an absolute screamer from Ince separating us.
Can't remember the last time I applauded an opposition goal but that was a thing of beauty.

Honestly for 35-40 minutes we were extremely good. Great passing but creative with it. Lots of shots, none clear cut, but Brighton have been fortunate in getting bodies in the way, Sometimes by shear fluke.

Towards the end of the half they started to get a foothold, but mustered only one off target shot.

We woke up again a minute or two before half time, forced a corner. There were then some arguments between town players and the ref, no idea if they were pissed off he blew with the back spinning around in their area, or whether they were claiming a penalty. Nothing serious though.

In summary we've played well, are behind to a wonder goal and fuck knows how we haven't scored.

Problem with short corners is when we do it everytime, mix it up a bit otherwise it's easy to defend. Playing very well tonight, no shots on target though - that's our problem.

Get in Louis!!!!

Well oil beef hooked.

flyin now!

Get. The. Fuck. In.

Brighton looking dangerous our shape is gone. Ref is ace.

we do miss some chances dont we?

I would rather win on Saturday anyway!

Fuck off Franchise.

The Filthy Franchise go 2-0 up vs Man United...in front of 29,000 Franchise Customers.  Deeply unpleasant.

Unpleasant . . . But funny all the same!

Ueggghhhh

It's about Man United losing for me, which brings me sheer joy every time it happens and this is no different.

I just ignore Franchise (admitally the media will make that tougher tomorrow)

3-0 Franchise 

3-0 to the plastics now!

kin ell

That's sickening

On the plus side - Man U are losing 3-0..........

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Connor Waldon on.

Not sure we need extra time with our threadbare squad to be honest!

Shame this has gone to extra-time.

All set up for Barker to score his first ever first team goal against his old club

Crap. I'd be tempted to let them walk a couple in, than risk any more injuries.

4-0 franchise  :doh:

Man Ure four down now . . .

:sherlock:

Barker goes close from 25 yards

Then goes down injured and we have no subs left.

Shoulder Knackered. Joy!

Down to 10 men, hooray

Oxford equalise at west brom.

Bugger

Bugger

2-1

Oi!!!

Should have just scored an og in 90th min, can't afford injuries with our squad

Who's picked up injuries tonight?

Oh well. To be honest Brighton have been
the better team for a while now. We've seemed out of energy and ideas since midway through second half. With 10 men it's mission: improbable

everyone

Exactly, this will fuck us up for Saturday big time.

Barker, gladwin, and possibly Williams but he looked ok ish

Penalty Brighton.

...at least Turnbull wasn't sent off.

That's that then.

Frec

It's OK, we can concentrate on avoiding relegation now  ;)

This hasn't gone well.

Oh dear.  Surely we'll have to get some more players in for cover now?  We can't realistically manage with a squad so small.

Yep, might be a blessing in disguise and will motivate Power to act.

As if they were going to settle on the squad we have anyway.....

get past tonight with no more injuries, get a positive result Sat and then hope we've brought in the 2/3/4 players we need and can use the 2 weeks off to recover and get ready to go again

We'll sign Chianese and Romeo......

Probably

Oooh

Oooh we scored!

GOAL!!

Bastards, I was going to go to bed!

Youth team, keep your boots clean

Agreed, but motivation never hurt anyone

Thompson stupid stupid tackle

Nathan Thompson red! Jesus wept.

Fucking hell thompson!! Why get yourself sent off you idiot! Jesus christ

I'm taking my boots on Saturday, tonight has been a disaster.

just hope the injuries aren't too bad.

At least we'll find out who vice captain is on Saturday.

An alarming tendency to give away fuck loads of penalties seems to be developing...

@SamMorshead_: I'd rate the individual performance of Kasim as one of the very best I've seen from a Town player.

What is it with giving away penalties and getting red cards?  Doesn't sound like the displicine has improved from last season.

He'll have to do even better Saturday, as he'll be the only fucker on the pitch..

Had to leave at the start of the  second period of et, we more than matched them until Williams and Luongo were subbed, different game after than.  Nobody could have foreseen Gladwin getting injured after a few minutes of coming on, then Barker off, 10 men couldn't hold out.  NT being sent off is a disaster!!  Now need up to 4 additional players.

I know we mostly love Nathan Thompson but it is a bit daft to get yourself sent off in injury time of extra time.

Oh well.

Enjoy all your doom mongering, folks.

N thompson getting himself sent off at the end of a dead game is really fucking stupid, hope Cooper tells him so as well

Oxford into pens at west brom.

Is it really 'doom mongering'? - Surely having injuries and suspensions is just a sad fact of what's happened?

I hardly see stating the obvious as doom mongering...we're all hoping that the injuries aren't as bad as first though, obviously.

He's a complete twat to be honest.  He obviously knew the injuries we'd picked up, but has now made the situation far worse.

It is doom-mongering if some take the opportunity that this has fucked up our whole season and we will be lucky to survive.

This is quite likely to happen.

.... I almost forgot...

Not going through means we miss out on more money, leaving us skint and unable to pay bills........

We'll be liquidated by midnight..we were counting on money from Chelsea away in the 3rd round for Augusts police bill.

RIP STFC

Thought it was man U? oh.

Always parked my car closer to Supermarine anyway..

Team for Saturday will be interesting. From what Cooper has just said we'll be without N Thompson, Barker, Gladwin, and Smith. You'd imagine the rest will struggle too after 120 minutes tonight. Josh Lelan has gone back to Derby.

lelan gone back to Derby

Recall for Harley?

It's fun to include Barker :)

Which Smith is crocked? As it stands the side can be just about patched up for Coventry. Obviously new additions would be more than ideal before then.

Keeping B. Smith, Luongo and Kasim fit feels essential, we need that Chesterfield game postponsed to regroup etc.

Smith, M.

Silly silly decision to release El Gabas  8)

Over the 90 we were the better team. They went 1 up with the best goal I've seen at the CG in ages. They then shut up shop and tried to hit us on the break. The first 10 of the 2nd we were brilliant and Louis got a good goal. For some reason the ref then went to shit for both sides with some very bad challenges going unpunished. Branco was lucky not to get a yellow and the bloke who cleaned out Gladwin was lucky to stay on the pitch.
Luongo was my MOM and was surprised to see him go off. Kasim was good but in extra time he was superb.
There were some poor performances tonight. Smith x 2 have had better days and Turnbull played well until extra time where he really struggled. Nate Dog really needs to look at himself for the most bonehead sending off. He's captain and I think he needs to reflect a lot on today. His yellow was pretty stupid and the second yellow as stupid as it gets.
Overall though we did alright and with a little bit of luck could have won that.
 

Well, I dont care what anyone says, I thought we were fucking brilliant.

Played some vibrant football and showed some real bollocks as well.

Yes, it came at a cost but the way we played tonight we are going places this season and this proved it.

Additions are obviously needed but, honestly, to be able to play like that is stupendous.

Not that it matters, but did anyone else notice that Brighton kicked off both halves of extra time?

Dont really want to single out any individuals for either praise or slagging - it was a great team effort.

Breach! Breach! Rules have been broken.

Celtic would get the result reversed...

Got to say, immensely proud tonight. We were absolutely brilliant and to give a decent Brighton side a go with 5 to go with effectively 9 and a half players on the pitch was a brilliant effort.
Kasim was phenomenal and has been all season. Desperately need players in for Saturday though, shows a lack of depth in the squad..
Swindon till I die   

Think I've said most of what I want to.

The first half of that match was up there with one of the most enjoyable in recent seasons. We passed around and through Brighton like a hot knife through butter at times. Unfortunately they had numbers back and a bit of luck on their side as most efforts were blocked, scrambled away, or slightly off target.

By contrast Brighton did have some of the ball, but weren't that creative. But we went behind to a beauty, Branco raced back to close down a 2 on 2, the player just got the cross in to the loosely marked Ince, who leathered it first time on the volley. Fods - no chance, and effort you can only applaud even as an opposition fan. So we were down at half time when we should have been up.

Second half Thompson L was slid in and cooly slotted past the onrushing keeper. For the next 5 or 10 minutes it looked like it would be in the bag. Thompson missed another chance, skying from the edge of the area when in a good position. But something changed. Whether we were just knackered, or Brighton adjusted formation I'm not sure. But they god a hold on the game and began to dominate.

Obviously fresh legs were needed. Unfortunately they came on and limped off as Luongo was sensibly withdrawn for Gladwin, Barker for Williams, both subs subsequently injured and M Smith looked to pick up a Luke Rooney arm too. The ref was quite favourable to us too as Branco seemed to flatten Lua Lua but escaped punishment, not sure he even gave a free kick.

In any case we held out, but it was inevitable Brighton were going to score in extra time. A low cross in for a tap in and a stonewall pen. Then they took their foot off a bit and Town carried on trying to create with 10 men. Kassim was immense, and deserved his goal to set up a grandstand finish. Thompsons slip put their man 1 on 1, and as he raced to make up for his mistake Thompson took him out from behind. The ref had no choice, straight red (even a yellow would see him walk though), and that was that.

We gave it a go. A really good one. Brighton eventually adapted. Injuries didn't help us.

Really enjoyable. The stay ways missed a good one (better than the limp Chelsea match, but not as good as Stoke away)

Yes, but then we doubted our own sanity..

Isn't the suspension for a straight red less than the suspension for 2 yellows?

I'm sure Louis Thompson's suspension was for a 'professional foul' and was only one game? Surely the same for Nathan?

Yes they said 1 game on the post match radio

Thanks, not too bad then.

Cracking first half, thought we were unlucky in front of goal first half second half just awful ( despite the 2 classy well taken goals we scored ) 2 shots over the TE roof and even more over the bar. If we had taken half of those we would be in the hat.
Didnt think BHA offered much first 45 except for that piledriver of a goal.Last 15 of normal time we rode our luck as game turned a bit dire.
In stature terms they had some big units out on the pitch.
Tackle on Gladwin was awful and buggered our substitutions somewhat

Injuries are gonna cost us as is NTs suspension for a rash and stupid tackle, depth of squad is really going to show now.
Cant fault the passion and desire they showed out there tonight tho.

I have to say, I'm really pleased to see all of the hype from the fans and media alike. Bearing in mind a large section of our fanbase had really low expectations for this season (understatement, in some cases), to see such praise is immense. Not many of our fans wanted Cooper, and a huge number hated the thought of Power at the helm, but it's nice that they've still carried on with their business and reaping the rewards.

Let's hope it continues and we get some additions...but the right ones and not just ones 'making up numbers'.

What a fucking strike from Brighton.....I stood and applauded.....Fods no chance.

We played really well...really well...and the match was an exciting one.i enjoyed it all bar the result.

Final scoreline did not do us justice.

Skyed some really good chances....they hit the bar...etc etc.

I heard Chuckles getting some stick around me for the subs but I disagree....UmBongo had a quiet match etc etc.

Barker injured...bad for the player...shame...but doesn't other me in the slightest.

Gladwin and Thompson missing on Saturday is a blow and the threadbare squad will now beb under severe pressure.

Roll on Saturday and hope and pray that Power can at least get some loans in.

The first half was fantastic. We played with an energy that simply wasn't there on Saturday, with Luongo the driving force behind it. It was genuinely entertaining stuff and Michael Smith could easily have had a couple of goals after good work down the right from Byrne. We continued after they scored, but without a final product. For all of our good football, Ankergren didn't have anything of particular note to do that I can remember. Louis got his goal - Smith did well having been gifted the call by Calderon (I think) and Louis received a good through ball and nipped it under Ankergren very well - perhaps he'd been practicing after his one on one miss from Saturday.

After 65-70 minutes though, we were finished. Whether that is fitness or application, I do not know. In ET in seemed inevitable they'd go ahead as we ran out of any running, and once they went 3-1 up it seemed as if everyone wanted to go home - many headed got the exit as soon as the penalty went in. Kasim's magical little run, when Brighton just stood there and watched, gave some impetus to the last 10, but the result was rarely in doubt.

A positive overall, but a missed opportunity to boost the finances. If we can sustain that football for 90 minutes we will go up. For 65 minutes, we'll be mid table.

As an aside, I really felt for Brad Smith again tonight. Again he was continually taking up good positions down the left, wide open, and his teammates failed to give him the ball time and time again. It narrows our game. Turnbull, as on Saturday, was the main culprit. He was impressive overall, but needs to learn to open up his body to knock it out to the wing with his left, or learn to pass with his right.

Power's programme notes made interesting reading last night too. Another blunt dig at the local media following the Adver stories on the public address, scoreboard and policing. If you are reading Lee: they'll only print one side of the story if you refuse to talk to them, and despite the claims that relations with the police are good, your notes admit that there were outstanding invoices for which a payment plan has had to be put in place. That in itself is newsworthy, because we had not paid.

One thing was bizarre last night.

their No 14 spent most of extra time right on the touchline and directly in front of the lino, deliberately blocking his view of play.

Fuck knows what that was about

And their appeared to be significantly more than 5400 at the CG

YouTube of first goal does not do it justice. Surprised how empty the drs looks. Felt busier

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUk4soec0Uw

Superb strike....

You saw it coming as well...

Really enjoyed that game despite the outcome.
They only beat us because of the injuries. Michael Smith looked like he damaged his shoulder, but carried on, so effectively we played extra time with 9 men.

Luongo was my MOM, his best game for us I reckon.
Kasim, well, I fucking love him. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck during extra time and got us back into it single-handedly. He's a classy, classy player.

Shame it ended as it did with a slip from Nathan Thompson, then the inevitable penalty and sending off.

The players couldn't have put in any more effort last night, they should be very proud of their performance.

Some Swindon friendly comments on the BAHFC forum about us.

My first game for some time due to one reason or another. On my own for the week as the wife & kids are away so on a whim decided that £12 was a no-brainer and made the trip.

I was very impressed with Town for the first 60-70 minutes, not only did they pass the ball well but they pressed Brighton high up the pitch, not giving them time and space to play.

The midfield 3 were superb, Kasim grew into the game the longer it went on and by ET he was on a different planet to everyone else. Stronger finishing would have seen us win comfortably, but on another day that will come.

Biggest mistake of the match ? Going to 4 at the back when we went down to 10. For those 10 minutes or so, we looked really vulnerable and conceded 2 goals, then seemed to tighten up more when we went back to 3.

Was impressed with Turnbull, although he didnt look comfortable with the ball at his feet, even more so than Branco who although he looked only a kick away from a howler, at least tried to inject some forward momentum.

Overall, the difference was in the finishing and depth of squad. While they could bring on seasoned L1/Champ pros, we brought on kids and lost a bit of fluidity. Not many L1 teams will play like Brighton did, and many will try to kick us off the park, so I suspect we will struggle to maintain this level of performance as the season goes on, but for £12, it was certainly great value for money last night.

As an aside, I thought it was a really strange atmosphere last night. There was very little singing/cheering while play was going on, just polite applause when the move broke down. Is it always like that these days ?

You  are correct about the atmosphere, or lack thereof.

It seems our fans have been lifted en masse from a game of croquet

Don't know if this has been picked up or not? Read on Brighton board that they kicked off extra time in both halves?! This correct?

Ummm it's actually in this thread, not that far away either.

Oops! Mid age?!

Anyone know when we last had extra time at the County Ground? Was trying to remember last night and reckon it must be several years since the last extra time game at home.

Crawley in the FA cup?

That's it. I was thinking a few JPT games, but of course they go straight to penalties.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nbPtjTYSGzM&feature=youtu.be

Their first and both of ours were glorious.

Thought NTs challenge looked shite last night
Looks even worse on there

Kasims goal was sublime
Onwards and upwards

I watched that Kasim goal on repeat at work. Lush.

Kasims not so shabby...

Corrected.

I like his Maverick from Top Gun moves, where he has two players chasing, puts the breaks on and goes back the other ways right between them.

First witnessed that at Wolves away
Made the chasing midfielders look stupid

All if, buts and maybes but the draw would have seen us get Everton at home (due the way the balls get allocated).

If you go to Brighton's site they have around 12 min of Highlights from the game. Nice that they admit they were outplayed and rode their luck.