Leeding Attraction (From The Argus)

Leeding Attraction

11:58am Friday 20th November 2009 in Sport By Tim Hodges - Put Those Floodlights Out!

It’s Leeds United at the Withdean this Saturday. In what many Elland Road regulars see as their own ‘cup final’ of the season.

Tickets will be scarce amongst the away fans,as they clamor for the glamour of Brighton and Hove.

Leeds are of course currently top of League 1. They will hope to get back on level playing field with their current bigger,and more successful near neighbours, Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley. It would be a step in the right direction for them to attain the current status of the two aforementioned clubs, as soon as possible.

It’s been fairly even over the years at Withdean between the Seagulls and the Mighty Whites. The Yorkshire men finished with 9 men and a 1-0 defeat in 2004. This in a match,during which the then Leeds captain Paul Butler, was sent off for using, foul, abusive and insulting language. I never did find out what he called assistant referee Wendy Toms!

In January 2006 Gary Hart scored a late winner to give the Albion a rare Championship victory.

We lost 1-0 if memory serves me correct in October 2007. I left my wife at home, with our then week old son for that game. I came home to what seemed like a hundred clucking assorted aunties and friends. It was like a suburban hen house.

Of course last season’s near fisticuffs between Messer’s Fraser and Murray, as Leeds trundled to a 2-0 victory, summed up our season at the stage.

So was the price right on Wednesday? No,not the insufferable show off from Patcham or wherever she lives now. But the price charged for a seat at Withdean for the cup replay against Wycombe.

Some would say Elliot Bennett’s performance, and goal made the score, (or just over) worth it alone.

I was expecting a bit more controversy from referee D’urso. I took my mate Alex, (a first season Brighton and Hove League referee) along with me to give Mr D’ an assessment. Alex thought he the premiership man did quite well. Apart from of course miss a blatant foul, which would have given the chairboys a first half penalty. Well, we won’t go into that.

So,Gus is 2 out of 2,one hundred per-cent.Manager of the month? You can’t help notice that already the team plays at a much higher tempo.Also how the full backs support the midfield much more fluently than in recent weeks. As for the central defence! Let’s just say having an ex premiership No 5 on board, well that helps out a little.

It was quite sad to see how disconsolate Craig Davies looked at the final whistle on Wednesday evening. Even though his team had won. No, he didn’t get the monkey off his back, (in this case almost of silver back proportions) but I am sure his chance will come. I think one off his ear would do for Craig at the moment, a la Andy Crosby.

It was even sadder a faction of the Albion fan base have turned on Adam Virgo, for no real or apparent reason. Some fancied that he hadn’t even warmed up, whilst on the bench for the last two games.

That maybe so. Though, I am sure he had a quick stretch past the old sand pit on Wednesday.

However he is the Brighton born captain of Brighton and Hove Albion. That says it all about what our club is trying to achieve.