Seagulls' Sparrow is on...and then OFF song!
A PERFECT start for Poyet!
Or putting it succinctly: Robins 1 Sparrow 2. New Seagull Matt Sparrow scored twice against Swindon at the County Ground to give Albion a win in the first game of the season. It was the first three points in the campaign before we move to the brand new AMEX stadium at Falmer.
Sparrow scored after 19 minutes and again in the second half after 75 minutes. Swindon did get a consolation goal with ten minutes left.
Albion's first goal came after a six man move was ended by Sparrow from the edge of the penalty area curling a great shot with his left foot high into the net. Jamie Smith had provided the pass that set it up.
Midfielder Sparrow's second strike came from a counter-attack. Ashley Barnes held the ball and found Sparrow. He exchanged passes with Smith running through into the Swindon area to slot past the out-rushing Swindon keeper. Two-nil up with just 15 minutes left – Albion's three points were in the bag.
There was an exciting finish as the Robins attacked late in the game. Striker Charlie Austin was through only for Ankergren to bring him down outside of the area. Swindon fans wanted red but ref Mr Whitstone went with yellow. The free-kick was parried by our keeper but the ball wasn't cleared and Austin prodded in from six yards. It was a nervy finish but Albion held out, helped by an Alan Navarro last ditch clearance.
The big question was who would Poyet start between the posts? News of new keeper Casper Ankergren came late in the week. He is a big Dane who Poyet has signed up for two years. He had been in Gus's sights last season.
Would he play in preference to Walker or Poke, given that first choice Peter Brezovan is out injured? That's FOUR keepers we have! He went for big Ankergren straight into the team for his debut.
To be honest I was worried about playing Swindon in the first game of the season, at their place. It was a difficult one and a severe test for Poyet's new team.
Swindon were close to promotion last year losing out in the play-offs. They only lost two games out of the 23 at home. They beat us home and away last year! Added to this we were without the spine of our team!
First there was the new keeper. Then upfront our key striker, centre-forward Glenn Murray, was out through suspension. Finally in defence our new experienced central defender Gordon Greer was also out suspended.
The outfield players could have been predicted. Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd and Painter made up the back four. The midfield was packed with Bennett, Kishishev (Dicker 57), Navarro, Sparrow (Hart 84), and Smith. Barnes was the lone man upfront. Subs not used were Poke, Whing, Holroyd, Battipiedi and Baz.
After the win Poyet singled out Sparrow. "You need someone with that little bit of quality ... Matt Sparrow provided that, he was excellent" (but see my postscript below!). He was also impressed with young Jamie Smith who created both goals for Sparrow.
The WIN and three points was the perfect start. All we need now is, for one year only, a return to "Fortress Withdean", starting with Rochdale on Saturday!
PS. Oops! Down to earth with a bump! Tuesday night League Cup First Round – It was Northampton 2 Albion 0. So much for the "perfect start"! We LOST to League Two opposition in a bad tempered match AND it was Sparrow who was red-carded off early on. Hero to villain in three days! Even worse news – Navarro was stretchered off with possibly a bad injury!
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Weather for Lewes
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
