Hughton: Victory perfect tribute to air crash victims
IT MADE perfect sense that the significance of first versus second in the Championship was downplayed at Portman Road. For starters, it is still only August.
For Brighton, though, the importance of their visit to Ipswich had been put into stark perspective — the buildup had been dominated by everything but football.
Emergency services have been using their Lancing training ground as a base for their operations following the Shoreham Air Show crash. Their presence has been a constant reminder of the club’s own loss.
Among the 11 killed was groundstaff member Matt Grimstone, along with fellow Worthing United team-mate and Brighton supporter Jacob Schilt. Manager Chris Hughton (right) admitted it had been a difficult time for the club.
‘It’s been an emotional week,’ said Hughton. ‘ You only have to go into the training ground every day and you are reminded.
‘The club are doing an incredible job with the local police and authorities in giving them a base at the training ground. Every day we go in there are 11 or 12 police cars at the training ground which is a reminder.
‘Our focus, particularly with Matt being one of our groundstaff and being such a massive Brighton fan, is that everybody has wanted to do well for him. It’s something that’s affected all of us.’
While people gathered on the wooden toll bridge overlooking Shoreham airport on Saturday to hold a minute’s silence marking a week since the crash, Brighton paid their own tribute to two victims of the crash.
Goalkeeper David Stockdale warmed up in a special T-shirt in memory of the pair and his gloves bore the names of both victims — the left hand Matt, the right Jacob. The rest of the team wore black armbands.
An enthralling win to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, climbing to the top of the table, all after recovering from the setback of letting a two-goal lead slip, was a fitting homage.
Hughton said: ‘It’s been our responsibility to try and do the best we can and I think it’s a wonderful tribute from myself, the players, the club and all the staff to dedicate such a real good win, in particular to Matt and Jacob.’
Kazenga Lua Lua and Tomer Hemed had Brighton two ahead after 12 minutes, but Ipswich came roaring back in the second half. A tap-in from Freddie Sears and a penalty from substitute David McGoldrick drew them level.
That maintained the Tractor Boys’ record of scoring at least twice in every match this season. No problems at that end, then.
But Hemed, the Israeli striker signed from Almeria this summer, popped up to head home the decisive goal in the 67th minute.
For Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy, it was a disappointing way to head into the international break after a strong start to the season.
‘ Of course we’re disappointed, defeats just make you feel bad,’ he said.
‘But I don’t feel bad about my team or my squad. We’ve had a tough schedule of seven games in 21 days and we need a break.’