Ravens View of Brighton 1-0 Brentford

Last updated : 04 March 2004 By Mark R

In the first half both teams couldn't string more than two passes together, Harding was guilty of giving the ball away time and time again in the first half, but as he had Jones in front of him, its not easy being a left back at the Albion!

Brentford had a goal disallowed in each half and hit the post once. Harty hit the bar for us in the first half, a stinging shot from about 20 yards that thumped the crossbar.

The one real quality move of the night was the goal. Benjamin swept a great cross-field ball to Jones, who controlled it well, pushed the ball along the ground a few yards in front of Chippy, who struck it first time from about 25 yards and it zipped along the surface and in the corner past the keeper.

I cant think of many other incidents, other than the keeper flattening Robinson to get himself sent off (about 5 yards outside the box, the keeper wasn't even looking at the ball so can hardly complain at the red card!).

Finally how was it not a penalty to Brentford towards the end. Virgo or Cullip appeared to handle the ball twice, not sure if it was deliberate, but the other way round and I would be furious! Still we deserve some favourable refereeing decisions!

Roberts - 6 no stupid mistakes and a couple of good takes on a tricky surface.
Harding - 6 shaky first half, better second
Virgo - 7 turning into the new 100% effort player
Cullip - 6 solid again, gave away quite a few free kicks in dangerous positions
Butters - 6 as above
Carpenter - 7 cracking goal
Oatway - 6 got stuck in as ever
Jones - 5 an off day, but set up the goal
Hart - 6 almost repeated his goal from the last home game
Benjamin - 4 looked unfit, but a great ball to Jones for the goal, dreadful service
Knight - 4 looked completely uninterested but the service was dire

Robinson (for Knight) - 6 looked lively and prepared to run at players Mayo (for Jones)- 6 is left midfield his new position
Brentford away support - 0 (they mustered about 300)

Mark R