By Tim Hodges from the Amex
Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Bolton Wanderers 1
The Albion won their first home league match of the season with goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and Joao Teixeira.
In a fairly evenly fought contest Albion had the first real chance of note when Jake Forster-Caskey aimed for the top corner from around 20 yards. Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan held his shot well.
Bolton were edging it on possession and David Wheater had a good chance to open the scoring but fired wide.
Bolton striker Craig Davies was getting in behind Inigo Calderon and was showing a fair amount of pace.
Davies, who played for Albion in 2009-10, set up a chance for Chung Yong-Lee but the Korean midfielder fired over when well placed.
Davies only ever scored one goal for Albion on his debut against Peterborough at Withdean in January 2009.
With just half an hour gone, despite Albion’s best efforts to get Mackail-Smith into the game Bolton went ahead as Matt Mills rose above Lewis Dunk to head Wanderers in front on 25 minutes .
Soon after Bolton had the chance to double their advantage as Medo sent a shot wide of David Stockdale’s far post.
Albion were getting the ball into Mackail – Smith’s feet , but the striker was finding himself too wide, to create real danger.
New Albion signing Joe Bennett found himself the recipient of crosses from Bruno and Calderon that eluded Mackail- Smith.
But as Bolton tried to defend their lead until half time , Mackail – Smith swept the ball past Bogdan from a Calderon cross to put Albion level.
It was Mackail -Smith’s first league goal for Albion since December 2012.
Bogdan was injured during this passage of play , seemingly by his own defender , as the ball hit the net and was replaced by Andy Lonergran , who saved well from a Gordon Greer half volley and an Andrew Crofts flick before half time.
As the teams went in level , Albion chief executive, Paul Barber achieved the second biggest cheer of the day, as he took the ice bucket challenge .
Bolton tried to seize the early initiative as the second half started but Albion remained resilient although Craig Davies had two good chances to put Bolton back in front. How he would have loved to have scored against the club he achieved so little at.
Bruno at times was playing not only playing in his designated position of right midfield , but at one point upfront with Mackail-Smith in fact all over the pitch . A real old fashioned utility player.
Mackail -Smith nearly sent the 24000 Amex crowd wild with a superb overhead kick and with Danny Holla and Crofts beginning to boss midfield, Albion had the edge and with still 25 minutes left Joao Teixeira rode two or three challengers and fired a low shot past Lonergran to put Albion in front at 2-1 .
The Seagulls looked comfortable form then on Mackail – Smith had another couple of chances , one of which exposed a slight lack of pace and Kazenga Lua Lua who replaced Calderon , showed some nice touches and exposed Bolton’s defence with his pace .
But Albion held on well and only suffered a scare when Bruno , who had just been announced ‘man of the match’ appealed for offside instead of challenging Davies, this gave Bolton a little momentum , but they made little use of the chances they had in the 4 minutes of added time.
The Albion now move up to 13th in the Championship table and next take on Swindon in the League Cup this Tuesday (26th August) at the County Ground.
