Brighton 1-1 Swans
But having to wait 30 mins in the pouring rain in a queue not uncommon in Russia to catch the bus back is ridiculous. At the start we played great with Alsop, Price and Coates playing some great flowing football and the defence rock solid as ever with some good team play in the middle of the park.A typical example on 10 mins a Price shot rocketing to the goal deflected off a Brighton defender after some good work by Alsop ficking the ball to Thomas who sent Price flying. A minute later Howard was booked for reacting to a vicious shoulder charge. But the news got better when after some good play down the flanks, forcing a corner which was crossed to an unmarked Alsop who headed a rocket into the top corner. The pressure was kept on with excellent approach play from Coates resulted in Watkin being put in an excellent position 6 yds from goal only to have his shot blocked for another corner. After 30 mins Alsop knocked down nice header to Thomas just outside the box but his half volley went straight at the keeper. Brighton quiet until this point then stepped up a gear and started to make a game of it. their no.9 turned Boundy just outside the box but shot over the bar. Then on 38 mins their resident gypo (sorry didn't buy a program!) headed over the bar from 3 yds after a deep cross by the impressive left back Mayo. Then on 40 mins some controlled pressure gave the Swans possesion on the Brighton area, but curled his shot just wide. Half-Time At half-time Hollins made his 1st of 2 managerial mistake, he subbed Coates who was having a great game on the left wing for Jenkins who was to prove ineffective. Saying that though on 50 mins he put a great cross into Watkin which he sailed over the bar. Thats when it started to go a bit pear shaped. With 55 mins gone a Brighton freekick only just flew over the bar. Then on 60 mins Brighton kept the pressure on and forced 4 corners in quick consession. 2 mins later the Brighton keeper flaps at a free kick which lands in the path of Jenkins who fired directly at Watkin and wide. This is were Hollins made his 2nd blunder substituting Price who was our playmaker and scaring the Brighton defence witless on for the bloody attroucious O'Leary. Then as soon as our one attacking option was taking off Brighton scored. With continued pressure from Brighton a poor cross was flapped at by Smith which their no.9 spun and shot passed Roger.Then it seemed the floodgates of Hell opened upon us the ref turned inot a complete pillock (he had a good game until that point) every bounce half challenge EVERYTHING went Brightons way but they still couldn't put the ball into the net as much as we tried to help them appart from Boundy who cleared a shot of the line in the last couple of mins.This was when I stopped making notes there was no point it had gone into a scrap to survive which somehow we did.Another game gone, promotion basically guaranteed but we still don't deserve it, this really must be a shit division in the Bowels of British Football.