Match Report from the game - Plymouth Jan 2004

Well done, you played well, and after those two early goals, deserved to win the game and go on to get all three points, taking us to 5th in the table. The game started off well, and we had control of the ball throughout. The free kick awarded for Danny Cullips handball caused us no problems, and Trevor Benjamin had a shot on target to get the first goal of the game, and take us ahead of Plymouth. It was the first goal scored against them since 13th December 2003, when they played against Swindon Town. This wasn't to be the end of the game, and just three minutes later, Leon Knight's header was saved by the keeper. We were really giving it everything we had, and John Piercy was the next Brighton player to have a go at goal on 18 minutes, and then another on 19 minutes. There was no way we were going to let Plymouth win this one!

A free kick was awarded to Plymouth on 23 minutes from a foul by Kerry Mayo, but we soon turned it around and had a shot at their own goal, but the keeper had it under control. As the game progressed, Plymouth tried to gain control of the ball, but when they had a chance to score, it went wide. A minute later though on 34 minutes, and Leon Knight showed them how it was done, scoring another for the Albion. For the last couple of minutes before half time, the corners were coming in thick and fast. The first to us, taken by Oatway, and then it was Plymouths turn, but nothing came out of it. The referee blew for half time after 2 minutes injury time, it was 2-0 to Brighton.

The second half was going to see Plymouth fight back, but they wouldn't quite be able to do enough to see them win the game. The first shot of the second half was from Garry Hart, but it went over. Plymouth were soon on to us, and had a shot of their own. Luckily, Roberts was on to it and the score remained the same. We were not going to let them get away lightly, and Leon Knight took another shot, but the Plymouth goal keeper once again managed to keep it out. Paul Watson was booked in the 56th minute, but their free kick didn't change the score. After a number of fouls later from both sides, Leon Knight swapped with Chris McPhee, and Plymouth went for a quick shot on goal. It was now 2-1 in the 88th minute, and the game was getting tense. With 2 minutes injury time for the second half, would they be able to score another, or even two more to win the game and maintain their unbeaten run to 11 games? Luckily not. Plymouth had another free kick shortly after they scored but couldn't score, while we also had a free kick taken by Danny Cullip. To end the game, we tried to keep them away from the ball in the corner but the keeper wasn't happy. Luckily, we managed to hold on for the last 30 seconds to win the game. 

We deserved the three points after our performance in the first half, and because we managed to keep the ball under control and block most chances they made in the second half. Plymouth will now probably go on to win their next game, against Bournemouth, but more importantly, today's win will give the players the confidence they need to go on to win our next three games, which are all going to be played away.