By London Falcons manager Craig Randall
Brighton Bandits 0 London Falcons 1
GFSN • Sunday, 27th January, 2008 • Preston Park, Brighton

This game was a tough game against a team that had had a wretched start to the league campaign, knocked out by Falcons in the cup 8-0 and generally had games called off for different reasons.

But it was the return of the Bandits I knew and respected when we went to Brighton in the GFSN. They had a solid team of good players, worked hard and battled for every ball. Our own lads though were up to the challenge and played very well across the park and I felt dominated throughout.

Cowell and Walton at the back is proving to be successful and they did an excellent job throughout the game, very little got past them and they kept the nerve knowing that a single mistake could leave us without anything.

Falcons had the better chances of the first half. Okaro playing out wide right for the second time this season had gotten himself into some good positions. The best chance came to Alex B who put the low shot past the post after Okaro cut it back into the penalty box.
Luke Tuffs had his best game for Falcons yet, working extremely hard at the back and getting forward when he can supporting Okaro.

The first half ended 0-0 and with the other Brighton results in the past in the heads of the players it was important to keep the players calm and concentrated on the game. This was the case and I felt the players did excellently.

We started the second half the same as we ended the first, still in control, passing the ball around and keeping our shape well, being patient for that opening.

Without any clear chances for long periods of time, it was James Edeki who scored the only goal of the game some 10-15 minutes from the end, sending a floating shot which had beaten the goalkeeper and looping goalwards and with two Brighton defenders tracking back they were unable to keep the ball out.

This felt like justice after a penalty appeal was waved away by the referee. In what seemed a blatant push on Lewis Marshall in the penalty area the refree shook his head and even sparked a frustrated response from myself so when the goal went in, I felt it was something we thoroughly deserved.

We had a few late scares with Brighton breaking through with their mountain of a forward who had beaten Walton and Cowell, clean through and sending a shot goalwards, hitting the post before bounding away to safety. BUt we held out really well and went back to London with three points.

I was proud of my teams performance and was pleased to see that we controlled the game and at the same time was happy to see Brighton return to their old competitive self.
Next stop in the league, away to Birmingham.

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