29 August 1998   (Saturday)   Division 3

Brighton and Hove Albion   2  Torquay United  0


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Priestfield Stadium
Conditions:  Hot, no breeze.
 
 

Brighton scores placed first. 

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Albion are next to bottom of Division 3, the team seems to have played better than their position deserves (although the results have gone as forecasted), but this is a difficult game. Albion lost 1-4 at Priestfield last season (mostly because of Torquay's on loan striker Jason Roberts from Birmingham, and their free scoring full back Alan Turney).

Albion have Gary Hobson, Ross Johnson and Paul Armstrong all recovered from injuries.
Peter Smith and Glenn Thomas were dropped, with Kerry Mayo relegated to the substitute's bench to cater for a three man attack, although Jamie Moralee played a deep role.


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Gart Hart (Albion) went close from a Graeme Atkinson (Albion) corner.
Albion have the best of the play and possession, but are unable to convert the half-chances created.
Mark Walton (Albion keeper) palms a Steve Tully (Torquay) shot over the bar. The visitors look dangerous from corners. 30 mins.
Tough tackling by Torquay, especially on Richie Barker. Jamie Robinson (Torquay) should have been sent off for a bad foul. He was only booked. 36 mins.
Steve Tully (Torquay) nearly puts the ball into his own net. Torquay's defence liable to get into a muddle.
Steve Tully (Torquay) nearly tricks Ross Johnson (Albion) into conceding a penalty as he leaves a trailing leg to gain a free kick near the edge of the box. Ross Johnson otherwise playing well and with Derek Allan his central defence partner, look commanding together.
Graeme Atkinson (Albion) corner finds Derek Allan running in at pace and rising to head the ball against the bar. 48 mins.
Ross Johnson (long throw) into the box mounts a last attack in first half injury time.
ht:  0-0   Six successive matches (all this season) without a first half goal for the Albion.

Torquay cause trouble from a corner when Tony Bedeau heads across goal, but there was no forward to take advantage.
Jeff Minton (Albion) corner overhit.
Jeff Minton and Graeme Atkinson sharing corner and free-kick responsibilities.
Ross Johnson (Albion) long throw reached Gary Hart but he was unable to stretch his legs out far enough to put in the back of the net.
Gary Hart (Albion) heads a Jamie Moralee cross over the bar. He was not tall enough to meet the cross and he flung himself at the ball.
Jamie Robinson (Torquay) blatantly pushes Richie Barker in the back. Penalty!
1-0  Jeff Minton (penalty) slotted in to the right of the keeper. 63 mins.
Successive Ross Johnson (Albion) long throws cleared by Alex Watson.
Succession of comabative and heavy exchanges. Micky Bennett (Albion) is injured.
Micky Bennett makes an important defensive challenge.
Succession of Albion corners, taken first by Jeff Minton and then by Graeme Atkinson. 80 mins.
Torquay's defence gets in a muddle again but there no danger of them conceding a goal.
Albion are creating chances but there is still not anyone to put them away.
Torquay break quickly. Tony Bedeau (Torquay) gets into the box ahead of Ross Johnson and misses a chance from 10 yards. 84 mins.
Jeff Minton hits a powerful shot against the post.
2-0 Gary Hart acrobatically converts rebound. First senior goal in his sixth match. 87 mins.
Liam Hapgood (Torquay) foiled by Mark Walton when he only had the Albion keeper to beat. 89 mins.
 
FT: 2-0
FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON


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Albion Team:
Mark Walton
Paul Armstrong, Ross Johnson, Ian Culverhouse,  Derek Allan, Graeme Atkinson,
Jeff Minton, Michael Bennett.
Jamie Moralee, .
Richie Barker, Gary Hart.
subs:  Gary Hobson, Kerry Mayo, Andy Ansah.
Attendance:  2,703

Sponsors MOM:  Richie Barker
Argus MOM:  Graham Hart
Sussex Counties MOM:  Ross Johnson.

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Forecast  1-1
Some other Division 3 scores:
Barnet 0 Brentford 3
Leyton Orient 0  Scarborough 3

Albion are 17th with 4 points, 1 more than bottom club Barnet.
Leading club Rotherham have the maximum 12 points from 4 games, with League newcomers Halifax Town in second place on 10 points. 7 points is the requirement to make a play-off position after 4 games played.

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