Past Statistics: Season 04-05 Reports

FA CUP VS TOTTENHAM... (Sat, 08th Jan 2005)

Flying High Report:

Before the match I had to try the Chicken Balti Pies which were lukewarm at best, much like the bottles of lager which ran out well before the start of the game. They obviously didn't expect a thirsty horde from down south. For a Premiership team, the facilities weren't as good as many in the championship, with no TV screens in the concourse and huge queues for the toilets at half time. We don't even get those at Withdean! We all knew that there would be a great turnout from the travelling seagulls and, as usual, we outsung the home fans who hardly raised a murmur all afternoon.

The teams came out to a mass of yellow balloons causing the stewards to run around frantically bursting them before the game began. When it did get underway, we didn't look overawed by the occasion and you would have been hard pressed to work out who were the supposedly better team. We showed just how well we can play with control in the midfield, organised defending, trickery up front and great goalkeeping when we needed to. Chippy nearly got the first goal with a great shot that came back off the bar but Keane did the same to us with a clever worked move a few minutes later. We were tackling like demons and their midfield was largely anonymous. You always expected that Keane and Defoe might conjure something up but our defence kept them well under control with Defoe getting no chances at all. Unfortunately, from a corner Spurs got the opening goal when a back headed flick from King looped high over Kuipers head. The ball could have gone anywhere but went just where the keeper couldn't have got anywhere near it.

So we went in 1-0 down at half time, encouraged by the performance, but perhaps expecting Spurs to show some class and control the game from here on in. However, Chippy had other thoughts and when we got a free kick early in the second period he put a brilliant shot around the wall and into the corner, Cue mayhem from the Albion fans which was in stark contract to the almost muted response from the home fans after their opening goal. The second half continued in much the same vein as the first with us looking perfectly happy with anything that they could throw at us but when needed Kuipers made a brilliant save from a shot from outside the area. Thos big screens are great for showing immediate action replays - I wonder why they didn't show our goal again? Into the last ten minutes and we looked well capable of holding out for a replay and another money spinning match, this time dragging the premiership team down to Withdean which would have been a massive shock for them. It was a pity that Robbie Keane had other ideas and with one bit of real class he controlled a ball on his chest and swivelled to volley the ball straight into the corner of the goal for the winner. You could feel the relief of the Tottenham fans and the disappointment of the Albion faithful. Three minutes time was added on for what was one of the cleanest games I can remember. I don't recall either trainer being on the pitch at all during the game and even though we'd thrown Virgo up front after their second goal we couldn't make a decent chance to equalise. So, in the end, we lost but we can take great heart from the game and if we can play like that for the rest of the season there is no way we are going down. Credit must go to Mark McGhee for the way he prepared the team and set out the tactics and I wouldn't mind betting that Spurs have seen worse teams at White Hart Lane in the premiership this season and, most definitely, quieter away support!

Player Ratings:
	Kuipers 9 Reid 8 Virgo 8 Butters 8 Hinshelwood 8 Mayo 8 Oatway 8 Carpenter 9 Harding 8 Hart 8 Knight 8
Fans Comments: (Spurs)
	To all Brighton Supporters, I'm a Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holder and I'm pleased to find this website so I can tell you how impressed I was with your vocal and large away following. The minute I walk into White Hart Lane I ALWAYS check the away following first. As soon as I saw you all I was delighted, "now this is a cup atmosphere." (Although it was a pain to be moved from my season ticket seat to occupy more Seagulls!) The game itself proved to be a very tough one for us. Previous 5-1 and 5-2 defeats of Southampton and Everton respectively were soon forgotten about as your industrious midfield and strong defence proved a tough obstacle. At 1-1 I couldn't see us scoring and was thinking what night would be best for me to travel down for the replay until an ineffective Robbie Keane produced a moment of brilliance. I applauded your side as they walked off then gave a thumbs up to your supporters in the West Stand. We are a very vocal club but you won the battle hands down today. I wasn't surprised with the 36,000 crowd, We can't get more in, another full house. A great cup atmosphere unlike Sunderland and Charlton's grounds. Your support made it a great day for all what is good about the FA Cup. You deserve success in the Championship which would be mid-table surely this year and more importantly you deserve Falmer. (Great Song, bought my copy, a classic footy tune). (Mike Bridge) Not surprised you don't find the facilities too welcoming in the away end - but that is the case only in the away end (except the bit about the Chicken Balti pies!!!). There are TVs in the concourses around the rest of the stadium. (James) Fantastic play by Brighton's midfield. Too bad you were "robbed" by our Robbie, but it happens in footy. Some of your players look good enough for the Premiership. Heck, perhaps the club itself is good enough for the Premiership, the way they played on Saturday. (Adrian) I was there and yes I thought it would be comfortable for the Spurs but credit where credit is due, you deserved better. Well played and great support. Good luck for the rest of the season. Hope to see you in the Premiership before long. (Andy) Tell us what you think... Click Here or email us at report@bhafc.cjb.net
Fans Comments: (Latest Spurs) (11/01/05)
	I'm an ST holder at Spurs and was impressed by your vocal turnout on Saturday. I was a bit annoyed at your chants of 'worst support we've ever seen' as there are a few factors to remember. a) We were a good few thousand down on Spurs fans as you had the biggest away allocation I've ever seen, including thousands of ST relocations to make room for you all. b) You sung up tremendously and possibly couldn't hear us lot - although I'm sure you're overlooking a lot of singing we were doing. c) If you had tickets to this Saturday's Spurs v Chelsea then you'd hear us in top voice. We traditionally come out in song for the bigger games. If you wanted a really quiet crowd then try Highbury or Stamford Bridge. Good effort though, I thought a draw would have been the fairer result but for the bit of class from Keane. That's probably the only difference between the Prem and the lower divisions. Your midfield workrate was marvellous and you were a better team than Southampton and Everton sent along this season. Good luck with Falmer. (Tom Driver) I was at the game on Saturday and I wanted to congratulate your team on what was a fantastic display and one that I certainly didn't expect. Up until Robbie's goal you pretty much dominated the game and you totally deserved a replay (even though you didn't get one). I think "lady luck" was shining down on us that day having deserted us the previous Tuesday at Old Trafford. (Patrick) Hands up guys! You out sang us and out played us. Its as well the luck was on our side. I have to say it's the first match I've seen where our fans stayed to applaud both you as fans and your team. First rate and I hope we don't meet you in too many cup games! (Clare) The real difference between the sides on the day is that we have Robbie Keane and players of thet ilk who can win a game with one touch. Your lot did you proud (as did your support) and in truth deserved th edraw but thats the difference between the premiership and the Championship. all the best for the rest of the season and the best of luck in your quest for your new stadium. As a part time follower of Barnet as well as being a ST holder at Spurs I sympathise with your plight. Barnets is similar. (Dave P) Well done Albion. I unlike some Spurs fans thought this would be a tough contest. You guys have also been playing well so it was always going to a test for us,wish you all the best for the rest of the season and hope you make it back to the top flight soon John of the Shelf. (John N) Strange feeling to be a Spurs season ticket holder and living in Brighton while attending university. Play like that for the rest of the season and you could do a Palace! (Michael) Being born in Brighton and supporting Spurs, this was always going to be tricky for me. However, it was a true cup tie and I loved every minute. Boy can you guys play football. What on earth are you doing near the base of the table? I do think Knight was looking at the game as a bit of a shop window, but how he managed to outjump Gardiner is beyond me. Superb! The Brighton following was fantastic. Bet you couldn't speak for a few days after that. The other amusing moment of the day - when you scored the deserved goal. About 100 people in the near vacinity of me (in the East Stand) stood up and cheered. You need more than a 22,000 stadium I feel. Lets hope we meet more often. (Nick) I have seen Spurs play better this season and as a supporter I am encouraged by the fact that they won despite this. However, I am loath to offer any further comment that detracts from the impressive endeavours of Brighton on Saturday. On the balance of play, they, and their equally enthusiastic support, deserved the draw that they had battled for, but was not to be. The Spurs fans that I share sit with were all agreed; we look forward to your next competitive visit to White Hart Lane, as Premiership opposition. (Pete) Your support was fantastic saturday. even managed to out do the boys in the south lower for most of the game and made it a cracking cup tie. if u battle like that every week, cant see why u shouldnt be challenging in the championship. good luck for the rest of the season. (Glenn) Hope its not too late to add my congrats to all u Brighton fans and the team for their performance on Saturday. Travelled up and back with quite a few Seagulls and it made for a brilliant day. The best compliment I think i can make is that I was one extremely relieved Spurs fan when the final whistle blew because I truly dreaded the thought of having to go to Withdean. Bet the spurs players were too. I have to say that the Brighton supporters have got to be the best away support we have seen at White Hart Lane not only this season but for quite a few that I can recall. Good luck with the ground situation. Lets hope the Government pull their fingers out and give you what you truly deserve, a decent ground and the chance to move yourselves forward. (Bill) Fantastic display by the BHA players and supporters. Bit cheeky the song about how Mark Yeates should have stayed with a big club though! I live in Brighton, so Albion is my second team (in fact, call me a glory hunter but I was at Cardiff for the play-off, along with most of the population, so the level of support didn't surprise me at all). Come on Prescott: time for Falmer! (Ken) Tell us what you think... Click Here or email us at report@bhafc.cjb.net
Fans Comments: (Brighton)
	Tell us what you think... Click Here or email us at report@bhafc.cjb.net