Brighton and HA 0 - 0 Tranmere Match Snippets
By Deadly Submarine
March 29 2009
Deadly Submarine takes a look at all the ups and downs of the 0-0 draw away at Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday afternoon in a game in which Rovers lacked a cutting edge and where the failure to take the chances that came proved costly.
Brighton & HA 0 - 0 Tranmere
Weather Report
Sunshine, Hailstones, Sunshine, Hailstones was the order in which we had the weather with the hailstone showers heavy when they came along resulting in large sections of the Rovers support sporting plastic white raincoats that made them look like a certain well known (KK) Klan as modelled here...
Rovers in Raincoats at the Withdean!!
Crowd
5,819 fans were at the Withdean for this game and most of them weren't undercover. 237 of those spectators were Rovers Fans which isn't a bad number for such a long trip although surely boosted yet again by our numerous Southern supporters.
Referee Watch
Simon Hooper - A quiet game for the referee who despite two chances, didn't book Ben Chorley and instead chose to bring Captain Antony Kay over and give Chorley a final warning. Let advantage flow well and had a good game overall - 10/10
Best Moment
Despite the game being poor there were plenty of moments from the day itself to choose from. The best moment of the game was probably Danny Coyne's excellent first half save as Rovers found themselves under pressure.
Worst Moment
The hailstorm inthe second half wasn't great at all for everyone caught in it although it did bring out the comedy raincoats and got the Rovers fans singing louder than ever.
Funniest Moment
The banter between the home and visiting fans was good at times as was the "was he onside or offside?" arguement between Rovers fans in the first half. We also didn't realise until Saturday's train journey down that 'Cushty' is actually used in conversation down those parts and not just be Del Boy Trotter.
Tranmere Man of the Match
Ben Chorley - An excellent performance from Chorley yet again with a clean sheet to show for it but a good performance too from Charlie Barnett on the wing for Rovers.
Connections
The obvious connection was Bas Savage who used to play for Brighton and from what was heard before the game, he wasn't a popular figure at the Withdean.
Rovers Fans
In such an open space, any atmosphere was hard to create but the Rovers fans tried their best and the Ronnie Moore could actually hear us from the dugout was a credit to the noise we made.
Brighton Fans
Obviously the problem of the open-air stands was the same for the home fans as it was for us so they also did well to make themselves heard during the game.
Summary
A frustrating and at times not very interesting game which leaves Rovers further behind that coveted sixth place play-off spot. It's not all over but ever more importance is now placed on the three remaining home games and the crucial games away at Leeds and Scunthorpe in particular.
Just a final point is to say that this could well have been Rovers last trip to the Withdean Stadium. With Brighton set to move grounds in two seasons time and with relegation looming for the south coast club, by the time we meet again, the Withdean could be a thing of the past for the Albion unless we are treated to a Cup trip there.
Entertainment Value
The game was poor as Rovers failed to break down a poor Brighton side, something that has happened more than once this season when Rovers have played relegation threatened sides - 5/10
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