Seagulls Scene: Ten men dig Hammond out of hole

After 91 minutes and 45 seconds of the game at Boundary Park the Seagull Scene was going to be a doom and gloom report!

The 10 men of Brighton were about to lose 1-0. But no! At the death the Seagulls snatched the equaliser for the draw and a brave battling point.

First, let me get the rant out of the way. Dean Hammond, the team captain, has played a big part in the success that Brighton has had in recent years. But whatever was he doing getting sent off within the first 10 minutes?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Referee Darren Drysdale showed him a straight red for 'serious foul play'. Hammond's mistimed challenge may not have been malicious but the ref saw it as two-footed. We all know of the referees' clampdown, so why risk it?

I don't know Dean Wilkins' thinking on his players' red cards but I hope he does what is necessary. The captain left the 10 Albion players on the pitch to play out 82 minutes against 11.

This was a game we could have won. With Hammond in the dressing room the Seagulls had to move to Plan B '“ try for a goalless draw.

On going 1-0 down just before half-time it was Plan C '“ to hang on and snatch a goal at the end. Luckily for young Dean this is what happened.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Professional footballers are well paid. League One players don't get the ridiculous money of the Premiership but I would guess captain Hammond receives four or five times the national average wage.

He is paid to lead the team and play football. He now misses the next three important matches. I just wonder if he has started to see greener pastures with chairman Dick Knight indicating that the club can't afford to keep him.

Back to the good news. The 10 men reorganised and battled away confining the Latics to very few chances. Remember they beat Everton away last week in the FA Cup.

Brighton even managed shots on goal by Alex Revell and Nicky Forster. But it was Oldham who took the lead just before half-time when Lee Hughes completed a run down the left with a precision strike.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Because the squad was depleted through injury and sickness, the manager had recalled both Kerry Mayo and Gary Hart from their loan spells. Mayo came on after 34 minutes to replace young Wes Fogden. Hart took over from Revell, who had run his socks off as usual, on 68 minutes. Forster was often on his own up front but was a constant threat.

The other nine were heroes too with special mentions for Adam El-Abd and Tommy Elphick at the heart of defence, and Frenchman David Martot with Tommy Fraser in midfield.

Michel Kuipers played his part with a couple of good stops. Nathan Elder replaced Fraser for the last few minutes. The manager can take credit for an inspired substitution!

The fourth official indicated two extra minutes. Even the most optimistic Seagull supporter thought there would be no reward for the battling 10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Into the final minute and Martot won a corner. Everybody went up as little Dean Cox sent it in. There was a chance and Forster's shot hit the bar. Happily Elder was on hand to crack the ball home. Game over.

The celebrations, especially those of our FDM goalkeeper, were understandably jubilant! For the team, the valiant fans who had made the long trip, and for Seagull supporters at home, it was like a win.

Brighton went up a place to ninth, still with that game in hand. We're not quite ready to slip back into mid-table mediocrity!

We do need strengthening, having seen Bas Savage, George O'Callaghan and Matt Richards leave us. Dick Knight has talked of his intention to sign what we hope will be the 'Famous Five'.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To date I know of 21-year-old Shane McFaul who comes on a free transfer from Eircom Premier side University College Dublin. He might be a replacement for his Irish predecessor O'Callaghan and could make his debut at Withdean in the Saturday game against Huddersfield.

We wait to see if another four will appear, but knowing the facts of football life we won't be seeing any 'big' names until a little closer to Falmer.

Related topics: