Brighton puts City club in its place

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33912, 4 August 1975, Page 10

Brighton puts City club in its place

i ("The Press" Special Service) WELLINGTON. Survival was the] name of the game at the Basin Reserve on! Saturday, and in such a crunch situation New, Brighton produced the' men to achieve the success both sides had needed so desperately. Brighton’s Victory by 2-0 over Wellington City made it almost certain that City: will be the relegated Rothmans National Soccer League club at the end of this season. Brighton is not yet safe 'from the play-off series — there are still several anxious' weeks ahead—but with two games in hand of Wellington.; the seasiders are in the box seat at this stage. CLINCHING GOALS Saturday’s match weeded out the men from the boys, and although all the men iwere not in Brighton’s side; or all the boys in City’s, i Brighton had the far greater; appreciation of what had to be done in these desperate; circumstances. j

Goals by Frank Madrussan, (40 minutes) and Alex Smith! (65) settled the issue, and it • was only surprising that! Brighton did hot win by al (greater margin. There was Little fight and determination in this Wellington I side, and what there was virtually disappeared after Brighton took the lead. It was almost as if City had resigned itself to finishing on the bottom. FRANCE'S INFLUENCE Certainly Brighton did not play like any kind of world- j beater. But it fought tenaciously under the influence of Ken I France, took control of the mid-; field through Alex Smith. Harry! Carrington, and Alan Smith, and; worked for each other in every | situation. The crowning point came ini :the closing minutes when Owen I Nuttridge. who had done all! things extremely well, saved a , penalty from Martyn Ryan. Madrussan was the architect of Brighton's win. His brilliance on' • attack threw the City defence into confusion—a state from! which it never recovered. Madrussan deserved the goal he scored, being on the spot when Citv’s goal-keeper. Dennis Mack, only palmed away a corner kick. The second goal. 20 minutes Into the second half, came when Warren Quirke headed the ball across to Alex Smith, who made ;no mistake from close range. AGREEMENT BROKEN There were bitter feelings in : the Brighton team before the i start. Club officials claimed, that -when Brighton released Jimmy Richardson to Citv earlier in the : season, it was on the understanding that Richardson would not . play aeainst Brighton. The Brighton secretray. Mr D ;Robinson, said that it was only a “gentleman’s agreement, so there is not much we can do about it now.” But 90 minutes later Brighton had no need to take further action. Richardson had provelv largely ineffective Sand Brighton had won. 1 And that was answer enough.