Brighton & Hove Albion 4 - Dagenham & Redbridge 3
UNBELIEVABLE! What a game, what a night, what emotion...what a promotion.
The last ever evening game at the Withdean Stadium and it was a possible promotion clincher as well. Unbeaten at home all season so what could possibly go wrong? Well being 0-1 down after only 24 seconds was not exactly what the Brighton home fans were expecting. After the initial shock we pressed forward and a ball hit the Daggers goalpost and then we hit the crossbar, their keeper makes an absolute wonder save from the brilliant Craig Noon and then finally, finally we get two goals in a minute from Calderon and Murray to make it 2-1. Half time refreshments were then definitely needed, if only we knew what was to follow.
The second half starts and then cor blimey guv the hard working Daggers go and get two quick goals early on in the second half so we go 2-3 down. We hit the bar yet again, our keeper makes a terrific save from their star striker and then a real screamer of a goal from Albion’s Liam Bridcut 20 yards out makes it 3-3 (what a goal that was!). The Seagulls then bring on super sub Ashley Barnes who gets a late headed goal to put us 4-3 ahead. The four minutes of extra time seemed like fifteen before the ref finally blew his whistle to end the game and seal a 4-3 win for Brighton.... and promotion to the Championship. People around me go bonkers (nothing unusual there), with lots of high fives, hugs, cheering and clapping. Like I said, it was an unbelievable night.
Those Daggers would not give up and to be fair they played really, really well and made it so tough for us. Not the best of defensive performances from Albion but what a really great game of football it was to watch. To top it all off Southampton lost 2-0 away at Rochdale as well. A truly brilliant, unforgettable night. That’s what we pay our money for, one magical game a season like that makes a season ticket worth every penny.
I’m off to Walsall on Saturday to see if we can go up as League One Champions and we can’t wait to play Saints at the next home game on Easter Saturday. Bring it on.
Here is an interesting web link to Paul Fletcher’s blog on the BBC web site. Definitely worth a read...
Phew! Championship and Falmer here we come.
