Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Milton Keynes Dons 0
By Tim Hodges from the Amex
Albion are in the hat for Monday evenings FA Cup 4th round after overcoming MK Dons.
Albion appear to be taking the 145 year old competition much more seriously than many people thought they might. On the pitch at least.
Only the lower stands at the Amex were open. The north, upper west and upper east remaining closed.
The club appeared a little surprised that as many as 11,000 turned up.
Although a second string, there were at least four full internationals in Albion’s starting line up.
Two of which who scored.
Albion’s first goal came after good work from Steve Sidwell and Tomer Hemed.
As Sidwell won the ball in midfield he quickly found Hemed. He in turn picked out fellow Isreali Beram Kayal. Who marked his return from injury with a low shot that went past David Martin and in via the post.
Albion,despite the ELEVEN changes to the team that beat Fulham last Monday looked comfortable. Richie Towell looking a lively prospect.The Irishman still looking to break through as a regular to Albion’s regular championship squad.
Towell had an effort from distance which was well dealt with by Martin.
They wasn’t a great deal of goal mouth action. But Albion fans entertained themselves with the spectacle of Martin falling flat on his bottom when making a clearance, at least three times.
Ben Reeves ensured Albion keeper Niki Maenpaa showed a safe pair of hands on a couple of occasions.
Sidwell saw a flick header fly just over from a Jamie Murphy corner.
Towell was involved in a lot of Albion’s second half attacking play as was Jamie Murphy.
The Seagulls were stretching the Dons. Sam Adekugbe was also having a good game as an attacking full back.
The Seagulls were able to stroke the ball around midfield. Hemed, Kayal and Towell broke the offside trap and the three bore down on Martin’s goal, Kayal cushioned a pass to Hemed but he blazed over.
As the game opened up Murphy jinked into the MK area but no Albion player could meet the cross he swung in from the byline. A little later his corner was headed just over by Conor Goldson.
Maenpaa had to be alert as he raced out to whisk the ball away from Reeve.
Albion wrapped it up after Towell found Kayal in space and he in turn chipped in for Hemed, who planted a firm header past Martin for 2-0.
Kayal had capped a great comeback and was replaced late on with a rare appearance from Rohan Ince.
So Albion look forward to a 4th Round tie.
In 2013 and 2015 they were drawn at home to Arsenal, who over came Albion’s next opponents in the League, Preston.
The Seagulls travel to Deepdale next Saturday.
