Match Day Thread Brighton and Hove Albion @ Deepdale 5/3/2016

Albion arrive at Deepdale in prime form having won their last two games 4-0, one at Bristol City and the other against Leeds although it has to be said that Leeds seemed to have, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, David Blunkett and Jeff Healey in their back four. (YOU may have to google Healey)
Leeds were shocking but you can only beat what is in front of them and this is what Albion did. Having seen the match down their was not over impressed with them in fact thought we should have won that day. However their bad run is over and Albion seem to be getting close to their best again although did get thumped 4-1 at Cardiff a couple of weeks ago. Hughton seems to have pulled a rabbit out of the hat by signing Knockheart although should keep him away from last minute penalties. Two highly influential Israeli internationals in their squad Hemed and Kayal, the highly rated Stephens and that Zamora bloke who we have a bit of history with, they have also signed Steve Sidwell on loan not a bad signing to say the least. So a tough one for North End.
The players still think we have a chance of the play offs so maybe it's time to be bold at home and go for the kill instead of the narrow one goal victories, hopefully 442 this week, no news on Beckford, Grimshaw, both must be getting close to fitness however getting information about injured players at North End is non existent. Gallagher still awaiting a hernia operation and as we have three games in the next seven days expect him to play in this but not the other two, but there again what do I know absolutely zip.
One piece of information though sounds like Brownhill will be signing a new contract.

 

The words Brighton win at Deepdale have never been heard, the clubs first met in the league in 1908 and Albion have still to register their first victory at North End's home. Including today it is now five visits since they scored at Deepdale although they got two today but both were disallowed.
Although goalless this was far from dull, both teams gave as good as they got with North End probably deserving to win but neither side overly troubled the opposite keeper. An early Reach effort went narrowly wide for the home side before Brighton took and early grip on the game with Murphy firing narrowly over the top before a Knockaert free kick troubled the Albion fans behind the net. Once North End upped their tempo it looked a better game, North End probably should have done better when Browne won the ball in midfield, advanced towards the edge of the Albion fed the ball to Woods who dallied too long on the ball and the chance was lost, North End had to be wary Albion played some neat football but just lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. The game started to simmer away thanks to some odd refereeing by Mr Heywood. All square at half time interestingly poised.
The second half started with a brief bit of Albion pressure before North End became dominant, the home side were unlucky when Reach caused mayhem doen the left wing before putting in a cross which eventually fell too the feet of Woods, his shot was tipped onto the underside of the bar by Stockdale and cleared too safety. Albion were nearly gifted a goal when Gallagher stray pass found an Albion player who fed the ball to Murphy who was in a good position, but his shot was saved by Kirkland who saved well on his league debut for North End.
Then possibly the strangest decision by a referee I've seen in a long time, Garner and Goldson go for a header, Goldson elbows Garner then goes down screaming in pain, play carries on and Reach puts cross into the Albion area when said referee stops play for an apparent head injury, amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Credit to Albion all Hughton's substitutions were positive and they thought they had sneaked a late winner following Kirkland's mistake, luckily an Albion player was offside as the ball hit the net.
Albion will be happy with the result keeps them in the mix at the top of the league, North End still six points from the play offs, still all too play for, interesting to note we have played five of the top six at Deepdale and only Derby have scored against us.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...ns/championship/10193375/preston-0-0-brighton

Preston North End 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Att 11881

 

More of a workman like display by NE?

 

Played all right but didn't create a lot of chances, against a side that at times were a little cynical, but let's not go there