From Swindon Town's official site today.
Town stars can believe Brighton’s luck
31st May 2004
GRANT SMITH’S pre-match feeling that Brighton’s luck would see them through to Division One at Bristol City’s expense proved spot on, writes JON RITSON.
The Scotsman, who was part of the Town side that suffered play-off heartbreak at the Seagulls’ expense, felt Brighton would sneak victory.
He said: “A lot of people I spoke to felt Bristol City would be too strong for Brighton but when luck and the general bounce of the ball is going in your favour, the omens are always going to bode well.
“We hit the woodwork against Brighton twice and were denied a place in the final with the last header of the match.
“The luck was clearly shining on them.
“I suppose the only consolation for us, not that it really is a consolation, is that at least we’ve been beaten by the eventual winners.”
Despite his obvious Brighton family connections, Smith feels a Bristol City victory would have made life a tad easier in Division Two next season.
He said: “Bristol City are a strong side and will be again I think.”
Goalkeeper Rhys Evans, a former Chelsea teammate of matchwinner Leon Knight, said: “I did wonder whether they’d used all their luck up against us. Obviously not.
“I didn’t watch the whole match. It annoyed me so much them (Brighton) having beaten us that I don’t think I could have sat through the whole 90 minutes.
“Still, Brighton have tucked away the chance they had, Leon scoring under pressure.”
Like Smith, Evans felt a Bristol City victory would have made life easier for Town next season.
He said: “Going to Ashton Gate and playing in front of 20,000 fans is obviously more difficult than going to the Withdean but you wonder what effect failing again will have on Bristol City.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
Town stars can believe Brighton’s luck
31st May 2004
GRANT SMITH’S pre-match feeling that Brighton’s luck would see them through to Division One at Bristol City’s expense proved spot on, writes JON RITSON.
The Scotsman, who was part of the Town side that suffered play-off heartbreak at the Seagulls’ expense, felt Brighton would sneak victory.
He said: “A lot of people I spoke to felt Bristol City would be too strong for Brighton but when luck and the general bounce of the ball is going in your favour, the omens are always going to bode well.
“We hit the woodwork against Brighton twice and were denied a place in the final with the last header of the match.
“The luck was clearly shining on them.
“I suppose the only consolation for us, not that it really is a consolation, is that at least we’ve been beaten by the eventual winners.”
Despite his obvious Brighton family connections, Smith feels a Bristol City victory would have made life a tad easier in Division Two next season.
He said: “Bristol City are a strong side and will be again I think.”
Goalkeeper Rhys Evans, a former Chelsea teammate of matchwinner Leon Knight, said: “I did wonder whether they’d used all their luck up against us. Obviously not.
“I didn’t watch the whole match. It annoyed me so much them (Brighton) having beaten us that I don’t think I could have sat through the whole 90 minutes.
“Still, Brighton have tucked away the chance they had, Leon scoring under pressure.”
Like Smith, Evans felt a Bristol City victory would have made life easier for Town next season.
He said: “Going to Ashton Gate and playing in front of 20,000 fans is obviously more difficult than going to the Withdean but you wonder what effect failing again will have on Bristol City.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
