By Tim Hodges
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Yeovil Town 0
The Albion won their final game of the season in a brand new kit against a lacklustre Yeovil Town
Gus Poyet handed young goalkeeper Mitch Walker a debut, as new era swept through the Albion, with Michel Kuipers being given a free transfer the day before.
Not for the first time Poyet showed no sentiment and did not include released Dean Cox or Adam Virgo in the squad, but did name soon to be out of contract Gary Hart on the bench.
Albion had much possession in the first half both Hoyte and Carol had good chances to score. Until the half hour mark Yeovil seemed content to just stifle Albion.
Then the impressive Ayling feed Bowditch, who’s shot was well saved by Walker.
Alan Navarro seemed determine his season would not pass without a goal and was getting far more forward than usual. With five minutes of the half left he had a great curling shot well saved by McCarthy in the Yeovil goal.
Navarro was then involved again guiding the ball into the path of Elliott Bennett, who smashed a fearsome drive into the top left hand corner for his 8th of the season.
After the half time end of season presentations and farewell’s the teams resumed the Chuckle Brothers style of play ‘to me, to you’. Both sets of players with one eye on next week’s end of season jolly abroad perhaps?
Although Hendrie and Carole for the Albion were trying to be as industrious as they could. Both tried to set up chances for the increasingly out of his depth Chris Holroyd.
Hendrie also combined well with Crofts but the club captain and player of the season dragged his shot wide.
Bowditch was again foiled from long by the impressive Walker with around 15 minutes remaining.
On 76 minutes there was a new chapter in Albion history, as Jake Caskey 13 days after his 16th birthday, became Albion’s youngest ever peacetime player. He and Barnes replaced Holroyd and Carole respectively.
As the game and season ebbed away Tommy Elphick put Barnes clear, but the angle was too tight for the loanee.
With two minutes left Crofts got the ovation he deserved as he was replaced by Dicker.
Albion ended the season in a much better way than they started it.
A lap of honour followed the final whistle and allowed Michel Kuipers and perhaps Gary Hart a final farewell.
Albion: Walker; Hoyte, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter; Crofts, Navarro, Hendrie; Bennett, Holroyd, Carole. Subs: Brezovan, McNulty, Hart, Dicker, Barnes, Dunk, Caskey.
Yeovil: McCarthy; Alcock, Stam, Forbes, Smith; Murray, Ayling, Murtagh, Welsh; Downes, Bowditch. Subs: Martin, Jones, Davies, Williams, Hutchins, Baggridge.
Referee S Tanner.
