L1: Brighton 2 Yeovil Town 0

Defeated and Depleted - match report and thoughts, by Cruncher

I normally don't get bored on train rides but today's trudge for my first (and last) trip to The Withdean was decidedly dull. Wasn't on my 'A' list of away days, but I was peeved that I missed the Rochdale game so added it in. Heavy rain was possible if not probable, but I was going. Not long before arriving at Preston Park Station, the landscape was split by a most perfectly-vertical strike of lightning, not enhancing my expectancy of a grand day out, especially when fresh rain greeted me as I stepped onto the platform.

What happened next was a bit surreal. In the short moment I wandered through a narrow smugglers' tunnel of a white passage that was the way out, the onset of certain persistent rainfall had turned to a clear sky immediately followed by sunshine. It had a bit of Dr. Who about it, with the feeling of walking into a different time zone further compounded by the scene of a sleepy village setting. Ahead was an inviting slope down to cosy Sussex suburbia, to the right a quaint clock shop, and to the left a short road leading to a track that I presumed was perfect for designer outdoor clothing enthusiasts to walk their designer dogs. And despite home fans also on their way to the ground, all around a distinct sense of ... quiet.

Treading a continuing blanket of damp autumnal greens and golds, ten minutes or so up the dog track takes me to the ground. Miles too late for access to the Pub let alone its renowned carvery, I approach the away end caterers with high hopes but there's not much choice - the priority is to fill a hole so a burger it is. As for the atmosphere and the view, the 112 in the away end knew what to expect.

A chatty steward had seen Adam Virgo arrive at the ground, confirming that he wasn't playing today. Not a big surprise after last week but then, finding out that Craig Alcock and Shaun MacDonald were also missing, a big task becomes massive. At least Jean Paul Kalala was back and Ed Upson was getting a start, but with Owain Tudur Jones filling in at the back we were compromised now in the back and the middle. Against the League leaders, we were David turning up with a lacky band instead of a sling.

Although as it transpired the teams were fairly evenly matched in the first half. Yeovil had some good periods of keeping the ball playing neat stuff at times and applying some pressure. Brighton's threat, in the main snuffed out by the Yeovil game-plan, came through Kazenga Lua Lua who had an absorbing battle with Luke Ayling. Just before half time both teams had been adequate without being inspiring, with a fine double-save by Stephen Henderson being the most notable factor to the game remaining goalless. JPK was straight back into his stride, busy and effective, other plusses for Yeovil was the defensive work of Paul Huntington and Nathan Smith, and of course Henderson; Sam Williams also had had a good start to the game.

Hope of holding out continued until just before half-time, until Lua Lua picked out Glenn Murray at the far post: a placed header perfectly weighted to lob Henderson on his opposite corner - one nil to Brighton. While the play had remained fairly evenly balanced, a bit of tweaking by Gus Poyet did give a hint of second half Brighton superiority that was to follow - enough I thought for a Skiverton tweak sooner rather than later.

Skivo kept to the same eleven with the same plan. Brighton put their stamp on the game, Yeovil battled on but at times the second half reminded me of a school match where one side had sneaked in four or five older players, decisively showing more muscle and pace. Shots on Henderson's goal were becoming more frequent, and it must be said he had another very good game, impressing with his handling, kicking and positioning as well as pulling off good saves. He couldn't do anything about Albion's second goal, a classy collect-and-shoot from a crossfield ball as Inigo Calderon cut in from his right flank to beat Henderson in the far corner.

Yeovil eventually brought on Andy Williams and then Andy Welsh and did manage to look lively again in sporadic moments, especially in the latter stages when they got in sight of goal a few times, but on the day the home team were clearly deserving of their victory. Craig Calver got a run out, presumably mainly to preserve Dean Bowditch for next week.

Certainly not a terrible performance nor a disaster, more a bridge too far for the amount of injuries. And in the contest of the Seagulls' form and last week's crushing victory at Charlton, we come away with our dignity intact. Presumably the more positive game plan of recent weeks would have been kept if just one of MacDonald or Alcock had been fit. Both goals could be criticised, but for the squad depletion on the day we couldn't expect much more than what we got, and with what we had we gave it a go. Trying Plan B should have been at half-time, if I had to find a gripe. If we stay up, we might not get a trip to the new Amex Stadium next year as Poyet undoubtedly is doing some good work on the South Coast. At the same time though, if we can keep on to key personnel and maintain a fit squad after the new year, we have realistic hope of a result in the return match.

The young singers as always tried hard to create atmosphere, so very difficult what with the distance from the action and such like. I found the stewards to be of the friendliest nature, but felt just or two gave off a bit of stern body language. Maybe I was just being over-sensitive, not sure; neither am I sure whether my hunch has relevance to an intense situation that occurred latish in the second-half. As I say, the majority were not just decent but superb.

Another three hours (almost) of boring train journey later was just like the outward trip: without access to refreshments. Until ironically just as the train rolled in a snacks trolley belatedly appeared. The whole experience of monotonous travel and the flat atmosphere at The Withdean combined to define my day as a bit of a strange non-event. I felt slightly more affection for The National Hockey Stadium than The Withdean, even though I did get a drenching at that venue. The Brighton fans have obviously been starved of a proper home for far too long, as is clear from those that I spoke to. Good luck to them on the move to Falmer, and indeed it does sound like it will be a fantastic stadium. After today, Albion supporters indeed do have realistic hope that the move to Falmer will coincide with promotion to the Championship.

Lots of importance now on the home game against Swindon. After such a good start to October, now it's back to the crucial need to pick up some points again, much like the position we were in against Walsall at the start of the month. Fitness to key personnel for the coming batch of games could prove decisive to our season.

Lack of expected heavy rain is perhaps the biggest plus on the day, though lack of fresh injuries would definitely exceed that drop of joy. Chalk this one off as something that had to be got out the way, now let's get back to the momentum started at Walsall.

Cruncher