Barnes leads Albion's five-star show

4:59pm Saturday 25th August 2012 in Albion By Brian Owen

Ashley Barnes kisses his tattoos after scoring the fifth (photos Simon Dack) Ashley Barnes kisses his tattoos after scoring the fifth (photos Simon Dack)

Albion’s Championship season is well and truly up and running after they brushed past injury-hit Barnsley today.

Two goals in the opening quarter-hour soothed nerves as the Seagulls ran out 5-1 winners at The Amex.

Ashley Barnes broke the deadlock and was heavily involved in a goal in each half for Craig Mackail-Smith before later adding a second himself.

Wayne Bridge also netted - his first goal sicne 2007 - and there were terrific attacking performances from his fellow full-back Bruno and winger Craig Noone.

But it was a nightmare return to The Amex for David Gonzalez.

The Colombian goalkeeper dropped a Noone free-kick as he collided with his own defender Stephen Foster, allowing Ashley Barnes to shoot the Seagulls into a third-minute lead.

The lead was doubled 11 minutes later with a bolt from the blue as Bridge beat the static Gonzalez from 25 yards.

Tomasz Kuszczak maintained the 2-0 lead with a super save from Tomasz Cywka.

Still it was a shock when Barnsley got back into the game through Albion old boy Craig Davies .

The Reds’ skipper for the day fired a 34th minute penalty under Kuszczak’s dive after Andrew Crofts tripped Jacob Mellis after some tidy Barnsley passing.

The two-goal lead was restored just two minutes later with the troublesome Bruno at the origin of the goal.

He made a trademark raid down the right and his low cross was shot goalwards by Barnes – and deflected in off the unwitting Mackail-Smith.

Bruno seemed to be fouled by Davies just inside the Reds box and John Stones was lucky to escape a second yellow card as he pulled down the flying Mackail-Smith just outside the box.

Further punishment for Stones was handed out three minutes into the second period. Noone skipped away from his challenge and fired in a cross which was headed goalwards by Barnes and deftly flicked inside the far post by Mackail-Smith.

Barnes added the 81st-minute fifth from sub Kazenga LuaLua’s cut-back and left to a standing ovation a couple of minutes later.

Comments(50)

SiWilki says...
5:08pm Sat 25 Aug 12

CMMOOOONNN - That's what I'm talking about.

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Dave in Hastings says...
5:10pm Sat 25 Aug 12

"Barnes added the 81st-minute fifth from sub Kazenga LuaLua’s cut-back and left to a standing ovation a couple of minutes later."

Perhaps that will shut the Barnes doubters up for a while. :)

Oh and I corrected the obligatory Argus spelling mistake!

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HOVEPARKRESIDENT says...
5:16pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Excellent performance and a great goal from Bridge.
If they play like that for the rest of the season I can see them avoiding relegation.

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Guernsey c gull says...
5:20pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Oh deep joy, sitting in my conservatory watching the pouring rain and gale force winds battering the island,and listening to the c gulls scoring five and racing up the table!well done cms and ash and all the players, cheered me up no end,thank you gus.

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rolivan says...
5:25pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Please could we finally put the Glenn Murray proposition to bed now He is not even in the Palace starting squad and they are bottom.We still need a Striker but not Him.Barnes got 4 goals today so can you also get off of His back.

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Guernsey c gull says...
5:30pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I agree gm must be classed as a traitor, perhaps he could get a game with Rochdale

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Guernsey c gull says...
5:30pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I agree gm must be classed as a traitor, perhaps he could get a game with Rochdale

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Guernsey c gull says...
5:30pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I agree gm must be classed as a traitor, perhaps he could get a game with Rochdale

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fretlessbass says...
5:32pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Congratulations to Ashley Barnes!

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Bucket feet Duffy says...
5:33pm Sat 25 Aug 12

This was a good result against a very poor side, well done lads, as I said on previous post CMS needed a goal and we needed a good win behind us still need that target man competition for front and centre midfield.

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VegasSeagull says...
5:50pm Sat 25 Aug 12

No change in the starting eleven. No panic buying. Two top palyers out injured but will return shortly. Chances created, chances converted. Five put in the back of the net. CMS shows his quality as does Bridge.
No new injuries that we know of. Total domination of the game. A performance that should encourage new players to consider a move to Brighton, even if on loan. Palace lost.

Could the day be any better.

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VegasSeagull says...
5:54pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Guernsey c gull wrote:
Oh deep joy, sitting in my conservatory watching the pouring rain and gale force winds battering the island,and listening to the c gulls scoring five and racing up the table!well done cms and ash and all the players, cheered me up no end,thank you gus.
Deep joy indeed. I am sitting in the desert of Nevada 100+ temp and no rain, have alittle sympathy please.

Great result from a great team.

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rolivan says...
6:03pm Sat 25 Aug 12

If only we could do away with the Doom and Gloom Merchants we would have a Brilliant season regardless.My only negative comment is trying to listen to a full game on the Seagulls site there always seems to be a technical difficulty.

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wiltshire seagull says...
6:04pm Sat 25 Aug 12

VegasSeagull wrote:
Guernsey c gull wrote:
Oh deep joy, sitting in my conservatory watching the pouring rain and gale force winds battering the island,and listening to the c gulls scoring five and racing up the table!well done cms and ash and all the players, cheered me up no end,thank you gus.
Deep joy indeed. I am sitting in the desert of Nevada 100+ temp and no rain, have alittle sympathy please.

Great result from a great team.
Err, NO, lol!! UTA............

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tug509 says...
6:11pm Sat 25 Aug 12

As i have always been an Ashley Barnes fan im not surprised ,could`nt be more happy for AB and CMS ,just wish either or both could have got their hatrick.Brilliant performance from all the lads and know it will kickstart our season.As for references above ,i think i`ll go for a gm and the result will be a cp,if you know what i mean.UTA

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VegasSeagull says...
6:13pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Ok so the opposition wasn't good but if you can convert chances into goals it makes no difference who you are playing.
It could be argued that we should have won our first two league matches considering the amount of chances we created, but the important thing is, we are creating those chances.

Something good has come from us not being able to secure the services of two or three new players.
Many of the championship
clubs have signed up a lot of players between them and many of those clubs will not be in a position to sign more. Some will, some have the money and the spaces within their squads to snap up a few more, but generally speaking most are done now.

As the window closing date comes closer there are still prem clubs and foreign clubs that are looking to farm out some players, loans or sales, today we showed why they should look at us as a destination for those players.

Poyet, by staying with the same starting line up, confirmed that we have been playing well and players looking in from other clubs love consistency, especially if they know that they have a good chance of making the starting line up.

Next week could be very interesting.

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tug509 says...
6:14pm Sat 25 Aug 12

HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote:
Excellent performance and a great goal from Bridge.
If they play like that for the rest of the season I can see them avoiding relegation.
Thanks now i need to go again,it is just the effect you have on me hprrrrr.

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gordongull says...
6:23pm Sat 25 Aug 12

rolivan wrote:
If only we could do away with the Doom and Gloom Merchants we would have a Brilliant season regardless.My only negative comment is trying to listen to a full game on the Seagulls site there always seems to be a technical difficulty.
Doom and gloom when we lose, and elation when we win, that's how it works isn't it?

SeagullsPlayer was completely dead for eleven minutes, so missed the first goal. Every other Championship club's commentary was working ok.

The goals will do confidence levels a power of good where it is needed. Several sides which have strengthened recently have little to show for it, while we are going in the right direction.

UTA

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Baldseagull says...
6:26pm Sat 25 Aug 12

A look at the league tables on Sky and the BBC and it seems it was such a good performance they have credited us with two 5-1 wins at home.

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golddene says...
6:40pm Sat 25 Aug 12

VegasSeagull wrote:
No change in the starting eleven. No panic buying. Two top palyers out injured but will return shortly. Chances created, chances converted. Five put in the back of the net. CMS shows his quality as does Bridge.
No new injuries that we know of. Total domination of the game. A performance that should encourage new players to consider a move to Brighton, even if on loan. Palace lost.

Could the day be any better.
yeah just the right numbers on the lottery lol.great performance albeit a weak opposition still you can only beat whats put in front of you .Barnsie was immense could have been credited with four but macca deserves his two through sheer hard work and being in the right place good all round performance and i can't wait for kaz to be able to play for 90 mins as his speed and trickery deserves to be centre stage, brilliant.

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Marrow Man says...
6:48pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Well played Albion. They made it look easy. We dominated that and crushed them. 67% possession. Saying that, Barnsley were poor and fragile at the back. I really don't rate Gonzalez. He was poor for us last season and had a bad game for the Tykes today. A better keeper might have kept the first three out... Still, always nice to record a god win.

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Grendel says...
6:51pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Good game but Barnsley were rubbish. Fantastic and thoroughly deserved ovation for Barnesy.

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SanFranciscoSeagull says...
7:08pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Great result lads....Was this reverse psychology on the part of GP, in looking for the elusive striker, knowing we've got plenty of goalscorers on the team that just needed to step up? Good to see CMS on the score sheet, will do his confidence a world of good. And Palarse are bottom...Life is good..



UTA from Sunny San Francisco

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SicklySeagull says...
7:19pm Sat 25 Aug 12

A good result and an entertaining game but we were playing a team that are expected to be relegated.
Lets hope this victory will enable s to secure a top half position in the league.

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HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. says...
7:25pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Great performance can see us getting promoted this year. Never really hammered a team last year, only southampton and they were down to ten men. So think this is a good sign. Palace already looked doomed yippee.

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namgo49 says...
7:33pm Sat 25 Aug 12

We needed opposition as poor as Barnley to kick start our season. They has absolutely no midfield which as just as well as both Dicker and Crofts once again had fairly anonymous games.

Bruno and Bridge were class and covered over the midfield deficiences we showed going forward.

I think if we can get results against the infamous Burnley next week then the sprightly Sheffield Wednesday a couple of weeks later it will be a far better measure of the season ahead.

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tug509 says...
7:34pm Sat 25 Aug 12

NO NO NO what do they have to do ,open an artery or something ? THEY as in ALL were fantastic ,they gave us what we wanted ,and now some ingrates think it was because Barnsley were a poor side.For the love of pete WHAT DO YOU WANT.UTA.........PS They were bloody marvelous!

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HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. says...
7:40pm Sat 25 Aug 12

tug509 wrote:
NO NO NO what do they have to do ,open an artery or something ? THEY as in ALL were fantastic ,they gave us what we wanted ,and now some ingrates think it was because Barnsley were a poor side.For the love of pete WHAT DO YOU WANT.UTA.........PS They were bloody marvelous!
Agree 100 percent.

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rolivan says...
7:59pm Sat 25 Aug 12

namgo49 wrote:
We needed opposition as poor as Barnley to kick start our season. They has absolutely no midfield which as just as well as both Dicker and Crofts once again had fairly anonymous games.

Bruno and Bridge were class and covered over the midfield deficiences we showed going forward.

I think if we can get results against the infamous Burnley next week then the sprightly Sheffield Wednesday a couple of weeks later it will be a far better measure of the season ahead.
I think you will find the reason that Dicker and Crofts were as you put it anonymous is because we had both backs using the wings and not always going through the middle.We got that all important first goal and then it just got better.

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VegasSeagull says...
7:59pm Sat 25 Aug 12

If I am a prem manager looking to place one or more players I think I know where I would be looking. Yes we played against an inferior team today but we did what is expected when playing a weak team, we showed our quality and gave them a slapping.

Prem managers will want to place their players (loanees) where they have the best chance of improving their game, with the quality of both players and management we have at Brighton why wouldn't they consider us a good place to choose.

A great days work by all involved and one that just might turn a few heads next week.

How many players have Palace signed, not really working out for them is it. As GP says, no good comes from buying or borrowing the wrong players. I guess Cardiff might be wondering what has gone wrong too.

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Ken in Spain says...
8:05pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Seagulls Player was playing up again so listened to the start of the match on the Barnsley commentary. When we scored the first goal they said,"Oh no. Brighton are the last team you want to go a goal down to! We'll not get the ball now!" Nice to hear what others think of us sometimes.

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kumquat says...
8:45pm Sat 25 Aug 12

First time I've had to work on a Saturday in 10 years. Can't believe it. I checked in to see the final score hoping for six nil, so foul a mood was I in to miss the game. I'll take 5-1. All good performances so far, our new signings looking mustard and our strikers get a shot in the arm. What's not to be positive about?

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Edwarren37 says...
9:00pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Best performance at the Amex since weve been there....Quality throughout...Enjoy the so many positives from this game, forget the very few negatives.....Well done lads

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seagulltess says...
9:52pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Teams only play as well as you let them, we did not and controlled from start to finish. Bruno and Bridge oozed class, Bridcutt superb and Mackail Smith at last looks like he is enjoying life at Brighton. Still feel we need a fit Vicente in place of Dicker.

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Portlock Seagull says...
9:58pm Sat 25 Aug 12

I am smashed, beyond belief, heading back by train to south bucks. And I blame you Gus, for your 5-1 fancy pant victory. I must now explain to my wife why so late and in such state. Had it been just a couple I'd not have forced so my Harvey's down my throat. Got a lot to answer for this club, with their 5-1 wins. Bloody football. Love it. Down wiv der palce. Hic. Eagles!

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surreyalbion says...
11:51pm Sat 25 Aug 12

VegasSeagull wrote:
No change in the starting eleven. No panic buying. Two top palyers out injured but will return shortly. Chances created, chances converted. Five put in the back of the net. CMS shows his quality as does Bridge.
No new injuries that we know of. Total domination of the game. A performance that should encourage new players to consider a move to Brighton, even if on loan. Palace lost.

Could the day be any better.
A decent win but even I could have scored today against Barnsley. Indeed, their keeper and defence was so poor you could have struck a shot from Nevada and scored; don't get carried away!

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tug509 says...
12:56am Sun 26 Aug 12

Portlock Seagull wrote:
I am smashed, beyond belief, heading back by train to south bucks. And I blame you Gus, for your 5-1 fancy pant victory. I must now explain to my wife why so late and in such state. Had it been just a couple I'd not have forced so my Harvey's down my throat. Got a lot to answer for this club, with their 5-1 wins. Bloody football. Love it. Down wiv der palce. Hic. Eagles!
Your obviously a great guy and your wonderful lady ,i`m sure will cut you some slack after all she gets a very happy man back.And i don`t doubt you make it up.Good luck my friend.Personally when the Albion score 5 ,my wife knows !!!!!!...weeks can pass ,so she hopes! UTA

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tug509 says...
1:12am Sun 26 Aug 12

All those who think they could of scored today because it was so easy .......NO YOU COULD`NT ,All those who think ......stop thinking! It`s not your strong point.BRIGHTON FOR THE TEAM OF THE DAY.UTA

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davidinsouthampton says...
8:00am Sun 26 Aug 12

My first AMEX experience today, and whaat a day to choose. Just one gripe - what's that Ashley barnes doing hanging around in his own penalty area and making clearances when he should be up the other end doing things..... Ih, hang on a minute.

And as for that CMS, when's he ever going to score..... Oh, etc, etc.

To say I was impressed in every way is an understatement.

And down in the west stand near the goal line we had KLL under our noses..... Good grief.

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franckiep en france says...
10:44am Sun 26 Aug 12

Very well done Seagulls.
The Seagulls Player site has been a real let down so far this season, I have missed a lot of the commentaries I Pay for, I have left comments & Questions on the site with no response, Please sort it out Seagull site, in this digital age there should be NO Excuse.

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KeefyH44 says...
12:08pm Sun 26 Aug 12

Baldseagull wrote:
A look at the league tables on Sky and the BBC and it seems it was such a good performance they have credited us with two 5-1 wins at home.
Yeah, that made me smile. Pity because for a while we were 6th instead of tenth, still, we could be Pal-arse!! Let's hope all the Ashley Barnes knockers will shut up now. I reckon CMS 2nd gal at least should have gone to him. Reckon he"ll get his 20 this season. Class act and only 23 yrs old AND HE'S OURS!!!

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seagull31 says...
4:15pm Sun 26 Aug 12

KeefyH44 wrote:
Baldseagull wrote:
A look at the league tables on Sky and the BBC and it seems it was such a good performance they have credited us with two 5-1 wins at home.
Yeah, that made me smile. Pity because for a while we were 6th instead of tenth, still, we could be Pal-arse!! Let's hope all the Ashley Barnes knockers will shut up now. I reckon CMS 2nd gal at least should have gone to him. Reckon he"ll get his 20 this season. Class act and only 23 yrs old AND HE'S OURS!!!
Most people who slate Barnes do so for his often weak performances when being played out of position - his frequent failure to make simple passes and the way he prefers to fall over and appeal for fouls rather than fight for the ball, especially when there is a high header. In and around the box, facing goal, he has proved his worth time and time again - he's a goal scorer, no doubt about it, and can play a big role this season. Great result yesterday against a very weak side. This division is already showing how everyone can beat everyone. A win next Saturday and we'll go in to international break feeling pretty happy about things!

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KeefyH44 says...
6:17pm Sun 26 Aug 12

seagull31 wrote:
KeefyH44 wrote:
Baldseagull wrote:
A look at the league tables on Sky and the BBC and it seems it was such a good performance they have credited us with two 5-1 wins at home.
Yeah, that made me smile. Pity because for a while we were 6th instead of tenth, still, we could be Pal-arse!! Let's hope all the Ashley Barnes knockers will shut up now. I reckon CMS 2nd gal at least should have gone to him. Reckon he"ll get his 20 this season. Class act and only 23 yrs old AND HE'S OURS!!!
Most people who slate Barnes do so for his often weak performances when being played out of position - his frequent failure to make simple passes and the way he prefers to fall over and appeal for fouls rather than fight for the ball, especially when there is a high header. In and around the box, facing goal, he has proved his worth time and time again - he's a goal scorer, no doubt about it, and can play a big role this season. Great result yesterday against a very weak side. This division is already showing how everyone can beat everyone. A win next Saturday and we'll go in to international break feeling pretty happy about things!
No argument with your assessment of AB, Adam el Abd was guilty of it to an embarrassing degree last season-mostly because he was so BAD at it but putting that to one side, both players are really good at what they do. Dunky may have more silky skills than A el A but he was caught out a few times in pre season and that's why he's not first choice. Barnes comes across as weak because he goes down so easily and I agree, he WOULD impress more if he srayed on his feet and FOUGHT for the ball but he does have an instinct for scoring goals so I can forgive him a little.

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championshipgull says...
7:06pm Sun 26 Aug 12

Brighton 5 Barnsley 1

http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=ad-35ephW
q4

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mr punch says...
7:20pm Sun 26 Aug 12

Baldseagull wrote:
A look at the league tables on Sky and the BBC and it seems it was such a good performance they have credited us with two 5-1 wins at home.
haha I saw that too and had to go check that the mushrooms were really from tesco!

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GosportGull says...
8:16pm Sun 26 Aug 12

What a brilliant display ! And we still have Vicente,Buckley and at Christmas JFC to come back in ! Yes we still need another striker but strikers love two things , chances and confidence to take those chances ! I think Saturdays game might just have done the trick , the smile on CMS's face said it all :) I know it was an under strength Barnsley side but you still have to take chances and we did !
Also the post match interview with Wayne Bridge was interesting , he is obviously very happy at Albion and wants to stay on a more long term basis i would say ! He had a blinder ! Sometimes i critize Gus but think he was bang on signing Bridge ...well done Gus :) GG

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Hovite says...
8:36pm Sun 26 Aug 12

The Bridge goal was quite funny with Gonzalez standing next to his right hand side goal post leaving the rest of the goal wide open.

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Billyboyarnold says...
12:15pm Mon 27 Aug 12

We were brilliant should have scored ten, we have fans everywhere, in the Desert, in the conservatory, and me in Bradford. Brighton Bill Yorkshire Seagull. Good times ahead.

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Billyboyarnold says...
12:15pm Mon 27 Aug 12

We were brilliant should have scored ten, we have fans everywhere, in the Desert, in the conservatory, and me in Bradford. Brighton Bill Yorkshire Seagull. Good times ahead.

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jonsyl says...
9:35pm Mon 27 Aug 12

Well another new season has begun and all I can say to everyone is good luck, enjoy yourselves and play well.We the fans are right behind you whether at the game or from far away.You have started well. well done !!All the best,
a fan in south africa

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