IF ONLY …….Murray Miss Costly As Colchester Pinch The Points!
If only Adam El-Abd hadn't received a cut to his head.
If only Elliott Bennett's lob hadn't sailed wide.
If only Glenn Murray's stretching touch hadn't flown high.
If only Murray hadn't been marginally offside when volleying in.
If only Ben Williams hadn't made an amazing late save from a Bennett free-kick.
If only Andrew Croft's effort hadn't gone over.
If only Tommy Elphick's header hadn't been scrambled off the line.
I'm sure you get the picture! If only Colchester hadn't scored twice early on AND if only our chances had gone in we could have been four or five up!
As it was Gary Dicker's header in the 44th minute for the Albion left the score 2 – 1 to Colchester at halftime. This was the Friday game at Withdean in League One on a surprisingly dry night with a festive touch. Christmas came early for United!
Only 8 minutes had passed when Brighton didn't clear their lines and Phil Ifil shot from 25 yards past our home debutant keeper Peter Brezovan. Only 5 minutes later, with El-Abd off the pitch receiving treatment for a head wound, Ifil beat Alan Navarro in the left-back position far too easily to cross for Anthony Wordsworth to head home. An eerie silence descended over Withdean only lifted just before half-time by the Dicker goal.
I was fairly confident that we would score in the second 45 minutes. We were creating the chances. It was our defending that was the problem!
Albion were dreadful at the start of the game. Our defenders played statues and sat back letting Colchester attack them for the first 20 minutes. United scored those two goals and were unlucky not to have three as a fine overhead kick by Kevin Lisbie crashed against our crossbar.
Whatever did Gus Poyet say to them before the start of game? Why didn't Brighton as the home team attack Colchester? The game was lost in the first fourteen minutes. Colchester aren't third in League One by chance. No way were they going to give up a two goal start.
Credit is due for effort as we were by far the better team for the remainder of the match and were unlucky not to equalise. That elusive second goal just wouldn't come. We are back to the "If onlys!" Forster's header went straight to their keeper. Murray couldn't get any power into a shot which was easily saved.
Poyet made attacking substitutions. Liam Dickinson came on for right-back Gavin Hoyte. Dean Cox was sent on for Navarro. These changes left less at the back but attack was our best means of defence!
Then came the most memorable moment of the night, one that Murray will want to forget! Forster put in a low cross, Murray controlled, turned and from only a couple of yards with the goal gapping pushed his shot against the post. We were up on our feet. It had to be the equaliser! It wasn't, it was scrambled away. Poyet put his head in his hands and turned away in dismay. My South Stand neighbour said "You could have scored that Ray! Your grandmother could have scored!" Well she couldn't actually – but we know what he meant. If only that had gone in I'm sure we would have gone on to win.
The if onlys continued. If only Bennett's excellent free-kick hadn't been well saved by Williams. If only the usually reliable Forster had put away his chances.
6,000 trooped away from Withdean saying "If only!" But nil points it was. My confident statement "Onwards and upwards" from last week sounds a bit silly now! We are stuck in 21st spot and have to take relegation seriously. Recently it has been against the top clubs – but we have lost. Coming up before Christmas are Swindon and Leyton Orient, games we have to win!
Poyet said after the game that he was proud of his players and that they were the better team. Yes, but we lost – again. Withdean is just not a fortress. This season – played eleven – won two! Withdean has been a dampener this year in both senses! Keeping the faith has become harder and another two wins before 2010 are needed. In January I would think that Gus should be looking for an experienced defender and a play-making midfielder. Then we could have a half-decent team!
To end on a high - take a look at Falmer. It's good! That arch over the northeast stand is magnificent.
Ray Eggleton
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
