Slow start, powerful finish, an FA Cup win and chores done in the garage

I really enjoy listening to Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall with their commentary on BBC Radio Sussex. Obviously, I miss seeing the action at away games I cannot attend but as far as second options go, you would be hard pressed to find better coverage than we Brighton fans are treated to on the radio.

Not much must have happened in the first half at the Hawthorns as not even Johnny and Warren could make it sound interesting.

The only nugget of information standing out from the radio commentary was that ex-Seagulls goalkeeper David Button was in goal for the Baggies.

The slow start can probably be attributed to both teams trying to find their level with many new faces. Brighton made seven changes including goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, who had to neatly take a West Brom opportunity in the first couple of minutes of his debut. That was followed up by a Baggies effort over the Albion bar.

Scherpen did not have an awful lot more to worry about. It looks and sounds as if he is quite a unique goalkeeper; I wonder if he might benefit from a loan spell to help him get minutes under his belt?

It sounded as though West Brom had plenty of pace going through the middle. Johnny and Warren indicated that sloppy play was costing Brighton early on.

For the first time in a long time, I began to worry about our chances in a game as it did not appear to be happening for the Seagulls.

Danny Welbeck then had the first Brighton chance in the 19th minute when he went one-on-one with Button. Button had a point to prove against his former team, that made it hard for Welbeck and sadly the goal did not materialise.

Half time arrived with the score at 0-0. With there being nothing for the radio to ponder over or analyse, I found myself going out to the garage to do a quick chore, hoping that Graham Potter could introduced some words of wisdom to give the team a helping hand in the second half.

What I had hoped for did not initially happen. In fact, it was the reverse. Two minutes into the second half and Callum Robinson of the Baggies slotted a cross past Scherpen to put West Brom ahead.

Referee Robert Jones had appeared to be extremely lenient in the first half. Fans of both clubs in the 8,000 crowd – including a sizable number of the famous Seagulls away support – certainly let him know what they thought each time he made (or failed to make) a decision.

Mr Jones’ leniency disappeared around the hour mark. Cédric Kipré received a yellow card for a nasty hit on Neal Maupay in the centre circle.

Then in a flash, Kipré fouled Leandro Trossard down the right side to earn a second booking from Mr Jones. The Baggies were down to 10 men and things might just be looking up for the Seagulls, I thought.

Perhaps I had been overly negative before? When you cannot see what is happening, it is quite frustrating as your brain sometimes plays tricks on you and everything seems a lot worse than it is.

The free kick from Trossard being fouled by Kipré was delivered and well placed for skipper-for-the-day Shane Duffy to put the ball over the bar, missing a real chance to draw the Seagulls level.

Now we had some excitement. We know from this season that Brighton never give up. Potter made some final changes, Joel Veltman giving way to young striker Evan Ferguson and Steve Alzate coming off for Jakub Moder.

It was Moder who scored a great goal to bring the Seagulls level at 1-1. He finished with his left foot as he ran right to left across the goal, ably assisted by Ferguson.

Ferguson was next to have an attempt. The ball went just over the crossbar and landed on the roof of the net. What an impact the 17-year-old had during his time on the pitch.

Alexis Mac Allister had his turn next to be denied by Button, who pushed a low shot down to the left away. The tempo was starting to build as the Seagulls looked to swoop in for a second goal so that we might all avoid another 30 minutes with no replays in the competition this year.

The goal never came and so extra time was needed to decide the tie. As we have seen so many times this season, Maupay had waited for his moment and eight minutes into the additional 30, he made it West Brom 1-2 Brighton.

That had me out of my seat, settee springs getting their familiar bashing and tea spilt everywhere. It is a good job I am not a commentator; screaming “OH MY GOD” over and over would not give much clue to what is happening to those listening at home. I cannot help but get excited; one day I am sure I will give myself a heart attack.

It was all a far cry from the first half which had driven me into the garage. There was nearly more joy when Moder raced down the left to cross for Ferguson who slotted the ball confidently past Button.

Disappointingly, Ferguson had been offside. That goal may have been chalked off, but it will surely not be long before the young man scores for Brighton.

Trossard went close to making it 3-1 but in the end, two goals were enough for the Albion. Ball 10 came out the fourth round draw the following day for a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Spurs. Is it too soon to dream of Wembley?

Before that, we have three tough games coming up in the next 10 days. This Friday is Crystal Palace at the Amex, followed on Tuesday night by Chelsea at home and then on Sunday 23rd January we head to Leicester.

Nothing to fear there with Brighton putting such good results on the board. Well done lads – and up the Albion (the Brighton one).

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony