Buckley double makes it a party at The Amex (From The Argus)
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Buckley double makes it a party at The Amex
5:08pm Saturday 6th August 2011 in Albion By Brian Owen
Will Buckley is mobbed after scoring the late winner (photo Simon Dack)
Million pound man Will Buckley was the hero for Albion as they opened life at The Amex with a famous victory today.
Buckley, the summer signing thrown on as substitute, scored two late goals as the Seagulls came from one down to beat Doncaster 2-1.
He fired between keeper Gary Woods and his near post in the 83rd minute to level after Rovers failed to properly clear a free-kick.
Then, with Doncaster reduced to ten men by injury, he raced away deep in added time to calmly side-foot the winner after Craig Noone had worked wonders to send him clear.
Albion were arguably worthy of their reward for an improved second-half performance but nerves were frayed at times on their long-awaited Championship kick-off amid a vibrant atmosphere at their new home.
Gus Poyet had already been sent to the stand for arguing when Doncaster went ahead in the 39th minute.
The hosts played themselves into trouble in midfield and Ryan Mason launched a counter raid which ended in Billy Sharp squeezing in a shot off the inside of the post as Casper Ankergren and Inigo Calderon converged.
Sharp had earlier seen a shot saved by Ankergren in just the second minute and another fly just wide as Rovers made the more composed start.
Albion should have been ahead just before that when Ashley Barnes saw his close range effort blocked by Woods.
Craig Mackail-Smith headed just over when the ball was played back into the box.
Poyet was directed to the West Stand after his vehement protests when Kazenga LuaLua was booked for allegedly diving in the 29th minute.
The boss was watching, in more contemplative mood, from the press box when Craig Noone, sent on as a half-time replacement for LuaLua, wasted a glorious chance to level in the 59th minute.
Barnes flicked Matt Sparrow's pass into the winger's path as he broke into the box but Noone then spooned his shot well wide with just the keeper to beat.
Albion had another great opening in the 80th minute when Mackail-Smith's close-range shot was saved by Woods after Buckley pulled the ball back from the byline.
Buckley, though, was to have the final words on an afternoon most of a crowd of 20,291 will cherish for years to come.
Comments(37)
Richard Joyce
says...
5:32pm Sat 6 Aug 11
damianpc
says...
5:36pm Sat 6 Aug 11
blueseagull
says...
5:59pm Sat 6 Aug 11
russellsnr wrote:Completely agree with you, I also watched on tv, that last half hour (once the nerves had died down!) we were by far the better side, and also had by far superior fitness levels too. As for Buckley?! What a difference! What a signing he has already turned out to be! Worth the million for that performance alone! Bring on Gills on Tuesday, I can see a goalfest coming there (from the comfort of my seat in the north stand instead of at home thank god!)
Watched it on TV we deserved the win for the 2nd half, only thing I thought at times we wanted to much time on the ball and so lost possesion to many times but what a substitute!!!!!!!
Security words: must rely lol yes we must rely on Albion leaving it late :P
pablobrowno
says...
6:30pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Sublime afternoon....
graham w
says...
6:35pm Sat 6 Aug 11
bruce beckett
says...
6:36pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Foxton1
says...
6:42pm Sat 6 Aug 11
alanbarnett
says...
6:42pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Hope our luck continues.
russellsnr
says...
7:14pm Sat 6 Aug 11
pablobrowno wrote:Fox Soccer Plus
What tv channel was this on??!
Sublime afternoon....
Carter_Cooldancer
says...
7:30pm Sat 6 Aug 11
I took my 4 1/2 year old son to his fiirst game, 30 years to the day after my first Brighton game.
There have been many highs (and lows) in that 30 years but the ten minutes before the kick off and the last five minutes of this game will stay wiith me for the rest of my life as the greatest of my Brighton memories. The sea of colour, the flag waving, the amazing stadium we can now call home, the atmosphere and the singing/chanting (that I haven't heard for 15 years), brought a grown man to tears.
And Buckley wrapped up the fairytale in a sweet blue and white bow.
Truly amazing!!!
Simon seagull
says...
7:40pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Carter_Cooldancer
says...
7:46pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Simon seagull wrote:Agree with the Sparrow comments, seemed out of his depth in the first half as the Donny midfield bossed him and Dicker. We do need a class attacking midfielder to feed CMS. Can't wait to see Hoskins with CMS too.
What a day!! Deserved it in the end..Noone and Buckley changed the game second half. Not Barnes best game,he looked a bit nervous and hesitant. Sparrow was his usual peripheral self and it was no coincidence that we looked a far bigger threat once he had gone off. Thought Greer and Dunk were excellent.And of course the crowd made all the difference..almost sucking that ball in the net!!
Foxton1
says...
8:20pm Sat 6 Aug 11
blueseagull
says...
8:24pm Sat 6 Aug 11
pmsl this security word: will-hurt, lol yes it will, now jog on
bruce beckett
says...
8:33pm Sat 6 Aug 11
8:20pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Got lucky today. Wait till a proper team with a few boys turn up, be a different story!
That might well be the case ... but why do you begrudge us our little bit of joy you small-minded person? You must lead a very sad life if you have to come on to this board when you have absolutely nothing to contribute.
Leicestershire Gull
says...
8:42pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Foxton1 wrote:Ha, ha, who do you support? I had thought it was Watford, but they are all old men and girls, whilst the local lads go into town to support real teams.
Got lucky today. Wait till a proper team with a few boys turn up, be a different story!
Ringmer Rich
says...
9:22pm Sat 6 Aug 11
Albion fan in London
says...
9:21am Sun 7 Aug 11
Foxton1 wrote:Check out Arsenals record when they started playing at the Emirates and also if you have time (which im sure you do) check Southamptons record when they first started playing at St Mary's. Buckley joined to further his career and he is now a Brighton legend. If he wasnt any good you wouldn't write all the same see you in November and trust me there is no such thing as easy points for Watford this season especially at our place
Glad to say it will be a long season the way you struggled against Donny! As for Bamby Buckley it will be his one and only decent game this season. Cant wait till november 1 for 3 very easy points!
pablobrowno
says...
11:02am Sun 7 Aug 11
wiltshire seagull
says...
11:17am Sun 7 Aug 11
Carter_Cooldancer wrote:Excellent post CC, made me very jealous I wasn't able to make it. Can anyone explain why it was a sell-out (22,000) when the attendance was 20,291? Bring on Pompey, we're on a run.........
An unbelievable day!
I took my 4 1/2 year old son to his fiirst game, 30 years to the day after my first Brighton game.
There have been many highs (and lows) in that 30 years but the ten minutes before the kick off and the last five minutes of this game will stay wiith me for the rest of my life as the greatest of my Brighton memories. The sea of colour, the flag waving, the amazing stadium we can now call home, the atmosphere and the singing/chanting (that I haven't heard for 15 years), brought a grown man to tears.
And Buckley wrapped up the fairytale in a sweet blue and white bow.
Truly amazing!!!
Security Word need-ridel, any Seagulls fans travelling from Wiltshire??
kumquat
says...
11:34am Sun 7 Aug 11
golddene
says...
11:51am Sun 7 Aug 11
Carter_Cooldancer wrote:i agree fully with your views the atmosphere was totally amazing i have'nt experienced anything like that since wembly 83 even the millenium did'nt come close well done to all supporters for making this an occasion to remember and the club for providing the flags for us all to wave what a sea of colour i'm still on cloud nine now almost 24 hours later. i did a stupid thing and listened to the radio sussex web site before leaving for the match (the road to falmer) with all that had gone before fresh in my mind i could'nt help the tears flowing during the pre match celebrations we've come a long way since those dark days of the three who will remain nameless we all know who they are the rendition of " build a bonfire" was particularly poignant, and for the boys to finish the game the way they did just made the day, you really could'nt have written the script any better. can't wait till tuesday bought mrs golddene a ticket next to me in the lower west for her first game ever hope she does'nt get hooked lol SEAGULLS
An unbelievable day! I took my 4 1/2 year old son to his fiirst game, 30 years to the day after my first Brighton game. There have been many highs (and lows) in that 30 years but the ten minutes before the kick off and the last five minutes of this game will stay wiith me for the rest of my life as the greatest of my Brighton memories. The sea of colour, the flag waving, the amazing stadium we can now call home, the atmosphere and the singing/chanting (that I haven't heard for 15 years), brought a grown man to tears. And Buckley wrapped up the fairytale in a sweet blue and white bow. Truly amazing!!!
Captain Haddock
says...
12:07pm Sun 7 Aug 11
Foxton1 wrote:You reckon? Aw how sweet. Now, off you trot little one.
Glad to say it will be a long season the way you struggled against Donny! As for Bamby Buckley it will be his one and only decent game this season. Cant wait till november 1 for 3 very easy points!
:0D
Captain Haddock
says...
12:12pm Sun 7 Aug 11
Carter_Cooldancer wrote:Great post! It was indeed a truly fabulous fairytale finish (apart from a Donny pov!) and I too was brought to the edge of tears towards the end.
An unbelievable day!
I took my 4 1/2 year old son to his fiirst game, 30 years to the day after my first Brighton game.
There have been many highs (and lows) in that 30 years but the ten minutes before the kick off and the last five minutes of this game will stay wiith me for the rest of my life as the greatest of my Brighton memories. The sea of colour, the flag waving, the amazing stadium we can now call home, the atmosphere and the singing/chanting (that I haven't heard for 15 years), brought a grown man to tears.
And Buckley wrapped up the fairytale in a sweet blue and white bow.
Truly amazing!!!
Didn't look like we'd have enough about us today to pull it back but once we equalised it was game back on!
What a debut for Buckley! Less than 20 mins for his new club and he already has a brace of top drawer finishes.
Cany wait for Gills and Pimpey now.
Captain Haddock
says...
12:27pm Sun 7 Aug 11
It is clear Nooney and Buckley are the buzz olYers at the moment. With Gills midweek, I wonder if they'll both start at Fratton?
Captain Haddock
says...
12:29pm Sun 7 Aug 11
Gee Jay
says...
12:40pm Sun 7 Aug 11
All the pressure was on Albion to perform, but once we got into the last 30 minutes the lads settled into the sort of play that we saw last season, and their superior fitness levels showed.
Fantastic stadium and acoustics, a memorable occasion!
It's a pity the Doncaster fans that were on a waiting list for extra tickets were not given enough to fill some more of the south stand. Perhaps someone knows why? Anyway, I thought there was a 'wall' that could separate fans at that end, so that any visiting teams' allocation could be taken by Albion supporters.
wiltshire seagull
says...
12:41pm Sun 7 Aug 11
wiltshire seagull wrote:Need-ride not need-ridel, lol. BTW, was gorgeous Donny the Dog there :-))?
Carter_Cooldancer wrote:Excellent post CC, made me very jealous I wasn't able to make it. Can anyone explain why it was a sell-out (22,000) when the attendance was 20,291? Bring on Pompey, we're on a run.........
An unbelievable day!
I took my 4 1/2 year old son to his fiirst game, 30 years to the day after my first Brighton game.
There have been many highs (and lows) in that 30 years but the ten minutes before the kick off and the last five minutes of this game will stay wiith me for the rest of my life as the greatest of my Brighton memories. The sea of colour, the flag waving, the amazing stadium we can now call home, the atmosphere and the singing/chanting (that I haven't heard for 15 years), brought a grown man to tears.
And Buckley wrapped up the fairytale in a sweet blue and white bow.
Truly amazing!!!
Security Word need-ridel, any Seagulls fans travelling from Wiltshire??
Simon seagull
says...
1:23pm Sun 7 Aug 11
Carter_Cooldancer wrote:Disagree about Dicker, true he got caught in possession twice, once costing us a goal but its because he puts his foot on the ball and stays composed and is always looking to do something constructive with it. The good things he does far outweigh the bad. With Sparrow AWOL for much of the game he and Bridcutt were outnumbered and short of options so he got crowded out looking for an outlet a couple of times. Once Buckley and Noone were on we were able to spread the play to either wing. I would play Buckley in Bennett's role and rotate Kaz and Nooney on the left
Simon seagull wrote: What a day!! Deserved it in the end..Noone and Buckley changed the game second half. Not Barnes best game,he looked a bit nervous and hesitant. Sparrow was his usual peripheral self and it was no coincidence that we looked a far bigger threat once he had gone off. Thought Greer and Dunk were excellent.And of course the crowd made all the difference..almost sucking that ball in the net!!Agree with the Sparrow comments, seemed out of his depth in the first half as the Donny midfield bossed him and Dicker. We do need a class attacking midfielder to feed CMS. Can't wait to see Hoskins with CMS too.
Bruce L
says...
4:50pm Sun 7 Aug 11
The noise was too much if anything - but everything was magnificent - Premier League class !
The only reason it wasn't a sell-out was Doncaster couldn't bring enough fans - can't wait for Leeds etc!!
Albion fan in London
says...
5:13pm Sun 7 Aug 11
Foxton1 wrote:If he's that Sh#te why write on this board ?? Secondly we mullered you lot last season with a weaker side.
Glad to say it will be a long season the way you struggled against Donny! As for Bamby Buckley it will be his one and only decent game this season. Cant wait till november 1 for 3 very easy points!
See you in November, your team better bring there game!
SicklySeagull
says...
7:55pm Sun 7 Aug 11
Doncaster will not be a top team in this division so much hard work is required if we are to continue in this league.
sullycanuck
says...
9:35pm Sun 7 Aug 11
AAA!!!!
YYEEEEEEEEHHAAAAAAAA
AAA!!!!
YYEEEEEEEEHHAAAAAAAA
AAA!!!!
Gee Jay
says...
7:39am Mon 8 Aug 11
Even the smaller clubs in the Championship will want more tickets, as their supporters will want to have visited the Amex.
monkeymoo
says...
3:04pm Mon 8 Aug 11
kumquat wrote:Doncaster Rovers were only given 1600 tickets. we took 1600 fans. check the attendance records before making stupid comments.
Was a sell out but lots of away supporters mysteriously didn't turn up. Plus of course the unfortunate Season Ticket holders who couldn't make the first game. An amazing occasion with a fairy tale ending and all the signs that we have the game to do well. Greer was outstanding again as were noone, buckley and CMS. Noone in particular was so dangerous at every play.
Congratulations to Brighton on the win. Also on a great looking stadium.
Shame it was against a team that has 8, first team players injured (so in essence..a second team was fielded). It took nearly 90 Min's to equalize, then another 8 to win....against a team reduced to 10 men (due to another injury!). Think about that...
The fans that stood there booing as Billy Sharp was stretchered off with a broken ankle are a disgrace to your club. That was the only thing that spoilt a great day out.
Lets hope Brighton can muster together 1600 fans to take up to Donny for the return game.
Falmer Wizard
says...
5:19pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I sincerely hope that he will make a swift recovery and that Doncaster will have better fortune in the coming months.
russellsnr says...
5:14pm Sat 6 Aug 11