Brighton 1 Southampton 1

I will remember the game more for the result and journey there than the excitement on the pitch as neither keeper had to save a shot in a dull game. Recently – and not just for reasons of economy – I have preferred to travel ariund  Brighton more by bus than taxi. Brighton’s taxi drivers are nosey lot. In my last journey to the Amex the driver even asked me what synagogue I belonged to. I discovered the 23 bus goes from near me to the Amex, though in a circuitous route and through unlovely Moulescombe, rather than the glorious South Downs.

At Queens park a disabled passenger alighted. From the voice I thought it must be woman but he/she seemed more of a man with a skull cap on his head. I was tempted to ask the same question I was on my last visit. He was also going to the Amex and, troubled as he did not where to alight, I assured him it was the last stop in Sussex University at Falmer where he had a short walk or – if he wished – he could restart the journey and get off at the first stop right outside the Amex. In Brighton passengers are more friendly and helpful than in London and when he tried to alight at Moulescombe, one of Brighton’s most insalubrious parts, he was quickly dissuaded. On he continued – listening on  his beets, tapping away – a gender fluid, orthodox Jew in a wheelchair out to enjoy his football. Nothing unusual in that, this is Brighton after all.

The greatest excitement at the game was the half time tea queue for our lounge.  You do not even get a free cuppa for your membership of the 1901 club and have to buy token for £2.20 which I lost, bought another and, after queuing for 7 minutes, was informed that there was breakdown of supply so I took my place in another queue at the main bar 3 minutes to get my refund and thus missed the start of the half.

The draw gave Brighton 12 points and another one to the safety zone. There are enough teams we can beat at the Amex to indicate we can achieve another season in the Prem. As ever Lewis Dunk was immense in central defence and he and Shane Duffy are now attracting a wider approval outside Brighton. Our fear is a big club in need of a central defender with strength, speed and a sure pass will come a-calling, like say Liverpool, but I cannot  see Brighton selling him until we are safe.

There have been goings on at the Sussex CCC where head coach Mark Davis has been sacked and stalwart Chris Nash (batter) mutually released from his contract.

Brighton is a gossipy place and most of us knew that Davis, who played in the 2003 Championship side, was getting the chop.

However the Chris Nash decision was more baffling especially as it’s his testimonial year and, well over thirty, he had more years to run on his contact.