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By Andy Heryet, at Westleigh Park |
19:45: Albion kick off their first game of the 2009 pre-season. Russell Slade has brought a large squad and we are expecting to see many of them playing a role tonight . For Havant ex-Seagulls Shaun Wilkinson and Wes Fogden start the match while Guy Butters is on the bench.
19:50: A fairly quiet opening five minutes as the two sides tussle to gain the upper hand. Sharp work from Havant 'keeper Nathan Ashmore prevents Dean Cox from latching onto a penetrating through-ball from Glenn Murray.
19:53: Mustafa Tiryaki tests Graeme Smith from distance with a dipping shot that only just clears the crossbar. Smith remains unperturbed though as he watches the ball go safe.
20:00: Power cross from Andy Whing is nodded just wide by Craig Davies with a glancing header.
20:05: Davies has the first real chance for Albion, but Ashmore is equal to his drive from the angle of the six-yard box. Tommy Elphick heads just over from the resultant Dean Cox corner.
20:10: GOAL! Mark Wright opens the scoring for the Albion, latching onto a Danny Spiller pass and picking up the ball well inside the penalty-area. Wright clips around the goalkeeper and in at the near post.
20:13: Brighton are beginning to dominate possession. Great cross from Joel Lynch finds Davies in space eight-yards out. The Albion striker stretches his neck to connect but he sees his header go over the bar.
20:18: A little over thirty minutes gone and the crowd see the unusual sight of 11 Albion substitutes warming up simultaneously. Albion coach Bob Booker is doling out the instructions.
20:26: Spiller in the thick of the action once again, creating a smart ball for Glenn Murray but the assistant's flag indicates offside. Borderline decision but definite signs of promise from the midfield triallist.
20:30: GOAL! Davies springs the offside trap and beats the keeper in a straight race to get on to the end of a long ball from Whing. Having rounded the stranded Ashmore he strokes the ball home to put Albion two up.
Half-Time: Havant & Waterlooville 0 Albion 2
20:45: The second half begins and, as expected, it is a completely different Albion XI. Havant make just a couple of changes but Butters remains on the bench for now.
20:58: Havant have started this half the stronger and Michel Kuipers has been forced into a couple of early demonstrations of his goalkeeping prowess in this, his testimonial year. Great save from the feet of Manny Williams.
21:05: A quick word about those missing tonight. Liam Dickenson is preparing for his move South after signing this afternoon. Dan Harding may feature in tomorrow night's match at Worthing, and both Nicky Forster and Jim McNulty are recuperating from their respective injuries. With strong competition in all areas, Slade's squad certainly appears to have some solid depth to it this term.
21:10: Havant continue to press forward, looking to get back into the match. They are creating chances but their finishing is letting them down. Kuipers is certainly the busiest of the two 'keepers but has provided a solid barrier.
21:12: Guy Butters enters the fray to warm applause from all sections of the crowd.
21:25: Into the final five minutes and the half remains goalless. Credit to Havant though, who have really pushed the Albion hard and given the defence - particularly Kuipers - a good workout.
Full Time: Havant & Waterlooville 0 Albion 2. A relatively comfortable opening match for the Seagulls. 22 of the squad got 45 minutes apiece and Havant provided a decent test for the opening game. Join us tomorrow, when text commentary will be coming from Woodside Road, as Worthing entertain the Albion.
Albion (first half): (4-4-2) Smith; Whing, Virgo (capt), Elphick, Lynch; Cox, Croft, Spiller, Wright; Murray, Davies.
Albion (second half): (4-4-2) Kuipers; Cook, Hawkins, Tunnicliffe, McLeod; Ide, El-Abd, Dicker, Brinkhurst; Hart, Ricketts.
