Leeds a lesson in the danger of leaving late for the Amex
When they say leave plenty of time to get to the Amex, they really do mean it. Due to my better half being committed until 3pm on the day that Leeds United visited, we could not set off for the stadium until 3.30pm, leaving just two hours to get there in time for kick off.
We caught the 16.01 train from Haywards Heath which was full of people wearing red and white scarves and bobble hats. I thought this strange as Leeds do not wear red and white, so who were these people?
Realisation dawned that they were Arsenal fans returning to their Sussex homes after their lunchtime game against Newcastle United.
The Gunners had won 2-0 so they were in good voice. With the train also containing Seagulls supporters and some Leeds fan, it was a real mixed audience as we sped towards Brighton.
On arrival at Brighton Station with now only one hour until kick off, the mass exodus gave away to massive queues to board trains to Falmer.
The Leeds supporters were singing loud and proud, making their presence felt – even if they were somewhat confused to see so many Arsenal fans in Brighton.
Whilst Leeds went through their repertoire of songs, I took stock of the queue and alarm bells began ringing. At the rate it was currently moving, we would miss the start of the game.
This was unheard of and so the option of a taxi was discussed. On arrival at the taxi rank, there were no cars to be found. Five minutes passed with still zero taxis and so it was back to the queue and hoping that we made it onto a train.
We just made it through the gates and onto the platform, where we then waited for the station staff to allow the crowd to approach the train.
The organisation at this point was terrible. Too many people had been allowed onto the platform and the metal barriers designed to send the huge queues on a tight and snaking funnel could not cope.
Inevitably, the sheer weight of people made the barriers go over and injuries looked imminent. Who teaches these people to steward a crowd? They obviously do no remember the Hillsborough Disaster.
For me at least, it was not too different from my commuting days packed onto London Underground trains like sardines. At Brighton Station though, there were women and young supporters in danger.
The management of the queue needs reviewing or else I fear someone will get crushed and seriously injured in the not-too-distant future.
Once out of the nightmare queue and onto a train, we arrived at Falmer within minutes. A quick trek up to the stadium and we were seated just in time for the teams to emerge. It was all too close to comfort for me, leaving no time to buy sweets or a programme.
There were fireworks to celebrate LGBTQ+ via the Rainbow Laces campaign, marked throughout the Premier League over the weekend.
As far as I am aware, nobody went as far as the Albion’s pyrotechnics but then again, we always stand out when it comes to these sort of things.
Brighton found themselves kicking towards the North Stand in the first half. We were all over Leeds, a far cry from Spurs last Sunday who were run ragged by Leeds and lucky not to be a couple of goals down before half time.
The Albion had clearly devised a game plan to ensure Leeds would not be so effective at the Amex, hardly a surprise seeing as Graham Potter and Billy Reid were both in the crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a week ago.
Nobody could fault the effort of the players, who worked their socks off to stay on the front foot and keep Leeds at bay.
It was just unfortunate that the opportunities we had failed to go in. That is football, some days are like that. Just look at Chelsea against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon who, for all their efforts, had still not managed to score by half time.
Leandro Trossard kept hitting the woodwork, Jakub Moder just missed a couple of opportunities, and so on and so on. On another day, those types chances will go in. It just wasn’t to be.
Trossard was brilliant in weaving around defenders. Solly March looked lively when he came on and was unlucky not to score. Tariq Lamptey played a blinder in getting his marker booked so early and then substituted at half time.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to Robert Sanchez who had to make three great saves to ensure that it finished 0-0. Had we lost, it would have been a travesty.
With all the hard graft and effort that the team put in, there was absolutely no excuse for the booing at the end of the match.
The spectators that did so are just that – spectators – and not true Albion supporters. Like those who seem to come to the Amex just to drink rather than support the team.
I am always amazed by their numbers – although not as amazed as I am that the ladies toilet in the East Upper has been blocked for over a month now. Get it sorted prior to the Spurs game, please Albion.
Before then, the Albion are off to the London Stadium on Wednesday evening for a tough match against West Ham. The Hammers are playing really well at the moment and sit fourth in the table, but as we know Brighton tend to do better against stronger teams.
Hopefully, facing such opponents will take our guys onto the sort of level we saw in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
Following our night in the East End, it is down to Southampton on Saturday to face Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side who lost 4-0 to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
It is all to play for this week. If we think positive and hope that lady luck comes our way, then there is enough skill in this young squad to continue their push for a top 10 place by the end of the season.
More chanting and less booing would help. Ignore those who only come to the Amex to spectate – it is the real Albion fans that count.
