Albion Nostalgia: When magnificent Brighton beat Newcastle in 1978
Earlier in that season we beat the Magpies at the Goldstone in another thrilling encounter.
Newcastle travelled south on December 30 to face an Albion side that had won both their Christmas fixtures so far. On December 23, Charlton Athletic were beaten 3-0, with Malcolm Poskett scoring a hat-trick. Boxing Day saw Cardiff City thrashed 5-0, with another hat-trick, this time from Teddy Maybank. Gary Williams and a Brian Horton penalty completed the rout.
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Hide AdAlbion boss Alan Mullery very wisely kept faith with the team that had scored those eight goals without reply. Graham Moseley was in goal, behind a back four of Chris Cattlin, Williams, Andy Rollings and Mark Lawrenson. In midfield, Horton was enjoying the season of his life, alongside Gerry Ryan, Peter Sayer and Peter O’Sullivan. Poskett and Maybank continued their partnership up front.
Albion were rampant from the very first whistle and nearly took the lead after just two minutes, following great interplay between O’Sullivan and Maybank. Minutes later, Horton came within a whisker of scoring, when his flicked header went just wide.
Albion took the lead on 17 minutes. A neat backheel from Maybank released Ryan who shot for goal. Goalkeeper Steve Hardwick couldn’t hold the powerful drive and Poskett nipped in to score from just four yards out. It was Albion’s first ever goal against Newcastle and the 25,812 crowd went wild.
Albion continued to pile on the pressure and both O’Sullivan and Poskett went close and just before half-time another swerving free-kick was well saved by Hardwick.
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Hide AdIn the second half it was more of the same, with Poskett and Maybank continuing to threaten. The best move of the game saw a shot trickle wide of the post from Poskett, and Horton then had an effort ruled out for offside after more great work, this time by Sayer. A penalty claim was turned down after a handball shout and Newcastle then came into the game when Moseley saved from Alan Shoulder. A few minutes later the players were all smiles and we doubled our lead. Lawrenson picked out a perfectly-timed run from Poskett and his pinpoint pass was drilled home from 12 yards by O’Sullivan.
Albion continued to dominate and put pressure on the Newcastle goal right to the end. We played some superb football and although Newcastle played their part, Albion were absolutely outstanding. It was a magnificent display and the catalyst for a run of results that saw us lose just twice in 19 games until the end of the season.
It’s hard to believe that this was 40 years ago. Many Albion fans have some incredible memories of that period in our history. We are making new memories for a new generation of fans this season and a win on Saturday will surely mean Premier League football for another season at The Amex.
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