The Amex Stadium
Saturday 24th November
Last Saturday Bolton Wanderers were the visitors to
Brighton’s Amex stadium. In appalling weather it was a game that Albion
dominated from start to almost finish, however a late 95th minute equaliser
proved to be a cruel ending to a match that the home team had plenty of chances
to kill off early on. Yet again a
penalty opportunity was squandered when Ashley Barnes failed to convert in the
14th minute and then missed what looked like an easy chance to make amends on
the rebound. In the first half Orlandi in midfield for Albion was inspiring and
the industrious Liam Bridcut sitting in his usual role in front of the back four was
winning every tackle. Bolton’s goal certainly led a charmed life as Albion hit
the woodwork three times and the ex Premiership side hardly had a chance worth
mentioning.
Somehow the teams went in level at half time but Albion’s
early second half pressure paid off when full back and man of the match Bruno
Salter scored an unstoppable cracker from 35 yards out. It was no less than the home side deserved and
they continued to press and came close to increasing their score on several
occasions. Those misses were to prove costly when the referee gave five minutes
added time and Bolton took full advantage with literally the very last kick of
the match as David Ngog scored that late, late equaliser in front of their
jubilant fans. It was a result that a poor Bolton side did not deserve and for
the third game running Albion had conceded a last minute goal. Sometimes
football just isn’t fair but Albion really do need to learn how to close a game
out and they must make the most of every goal scoring opportunity, including
any penalty decisions that come their way.
Brighton fans shouldn’t be too disappointed though as Albion
completely outplayed and outclassed an ex Premiership side for 94 minutes and
even Bolton manager Dougie Freedman conceded that Brighton were fantastic and looked
a class act. If Albion keep playing this way and learn how to finish teams off
they look like they may do rather well this season. The team are stronger than
this time last year and they look much more solid defensively but they do need
to convert the opportunities that are presented to them up front.
As I write
this, Tuesday night's home game with Bristol City has yet to take place but Albion currently
sit just outside the top six with the biggest match of the season coming up this
Saturday as Albion take on table topping Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. That
game is the one that every Albion fan wants to win and should prove if their team
are real contenders or not this campaign.
