Brighton hits back from 0-2 deficit

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33515, 22 April 1974, Page 7

Brighton hits back from 0-2 deficit

“Happy with a point but not with the team’s over-all performance”: generally that summed up the feelings of New Brighton officials on the club’s 2-2 draw with Wellington City at the Basin Reserve on Satur-

day. But any disappointment was muted by the magnificent fight-back by Brighton from ; 0-2 down at half-time to a (share of the points on a Aground that has not “favoured” Christchurch teams. Play developed in fits and starts, fortunes swinging violently one way and then the other, before the match petered out to a tame finish.

GOAL DISALLOWED Brighton suffered the first of three upsets in the first ihalf after 15 minutes, when the side appeared to be gainjing control. The player-coach, A. Vest, having his best game -1 fnr Rriohtnn wjic nwzirdpfi for B ighton was awarded j a goal by the referee, then had it disallowed by a flagivvavinp l linesman iwating linesman Brighton disputed the decision, lost its appeal, and then

I wavered. It was at this stage (that Wellington City’s new ! signing, P. Brown, struck with two superbly headed goals, the first a dive to a cross by A. Brown and the second when he came from the blind side unchallenged. It should have been a position to sink most teams but Brighton, aided by Wellington's mistakes in defence, was back

on level terms again seven minutes after tlie resumption. GIFT TO QUIKKE W. Quirke got both of the seasiders goals. The first was a gift from the City goal-keeper. D. Gollan, who dropped a High cross from K. Mulgiew right at Quirke’s feet. The second was the result of City defenders appealing for offside while Mulgrew and Quirke combined to open the path to goal. Brighton kept pressing for the winner, witli the wind at its back, and with an ounce of good luck must have scored in the last 10 minutes. K. Morton missed one

‘sitter,” but he was far from b N^onertoSd’oStTnWe 1 Bright 'ton side, although any man-of-the-team award must have gone Mu’ : grew was another success, while o. Nuttridge, in goal, who suffered a nasty shin injurx in the mad ome magnificen( saves The match’s outstanding player was the Wellington linkman, A. Smjtb; he was thp onc player with £ he a -bUity and ball control to command play.