'A moment that will live with me forever'

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Will Buckley remembers his historic double 13 years ago today.

2024-08-06T15:05+01:00

Marcos Painter celebrates with Will Buckley (right), who scored both our goals in the win over Doncaster Rovers.

Albion’s first competitive game at the new American Express Community Stadium ended in dramatic fashion. Will Buckley recalls his role in an epic finale against Doncaster Rovers…

After all the years of campaigning, Albion finally moved into the new ‘American Express Community Stadium’ at Falmer in the summer of 2011.

The stadium’s official opening had actually taken place on 30 July, with Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur the visitors. While it proved to be a highly emotive occasion for everyone connected with the club, those feelings flew off the scale the following week as we hosted Doncaster Rovers for the first competitive fixture.

There was more than a degree of symmetry around the game, given Rovers were the final opponents as we said goodbye to the Goldstone Ground in 1997, but the club that returned to the Championship in 2011 was almost unrecognisable to the one that had pretty much hit rock bottom back in the dark, final days of our former home.

To help bolster the squad, winger Will Buckley had been signed in June from Watford for a then-club record fee – the 22-year-old having been named the Hornets’ Young Player of the Year in 2010/11.

Will Buckley scores Albion's second goal in the 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers.

He was naturally looking forward to making his Albion debut as the Championship season got underway, but as the team sheet was pinned up, it proved to be a bittersweet moment. “There was a real buzz around the place, especially in the week leading up to the Doncaster game and the only disappointment for me was not starting. I was a bit gutted to be honest,” he recalled.

“There was a carnival atmosphere on the day, but it was important for the players to stay focused. That was quite difficult though when we came out to this wall of noise and all the blue and white flags waving. You could sense everyone was willing us on and that brought its own pressure.”

Following the fanfare came the football and from the opening exchanges it was clear that Rovers had come to spoil the party. Kazenga LuaLua had a penalty appeal turned down – which resulted in an irate Albion boss Gus Poyet being red-carded on the sidelines – while Ashley Barnes missed a good opportunity to score in the 36th minute. It proved to be costly as, moments later, Billy Sharp’s effort hit the inside of the post before trickling over the line for the visitors.

“Although we were playing well, it felt like one of those games where nothing was going to go in for us,” Buckley added. “It was getting frustrating on the bench, and I just wanted to get out there and try to affect the game.

“But really it was all about us keeping calm, focused and staying patient. This was Brighton’s day and a result we had been working towards all summer. It was just a case of getting back out there after the break and doing something about it.”

More than 20,000 Albion fans went home happy thanks to Will Buckley's double strike.

Sharp was stretchered off following a robust challenge from a young Lewis Dunk which would ensure the game would run late into injury time. It also upset Doncaster’s rhythm, and backed by the Seagulls faithful, Albion pushed for the equaliser.

“I thought I had a good chance of coming on if the scoreline stayed the same and with 15 minutes remaining, I’m on the touchline ready to replace Matt Sparrow,” Buckley remembered. “I was nervous but also buzzing with excitement.”

Buckley’s instruction was to stretch Rovers’ flagging defence. However, as the clock passed the 80th-minute mark, the tension around the stadium was ever-increasing. In contrast, the Doncaster fans were relishing their role as party-poopers, but what they hadn’t anticipated was a barnstorming finale from our super sub.

With 83 minutes on the clock, the Amex witnessed its first competitive Albion goal, with the bulk of the 20,219 crowd sent into raptures.

“I hadn’t been on the pitch that long, less than ten minutes, and I remember Doncaster failed to clear a deep free-kick [from Liam Bridcutt] and the ball’s fallen to me on the edge of the box,” is Buckley’s recollection. “I’ve just lashed it goalwards on the half-volley and it’s gone in. It was an incredible adrenaline rush as the stadium erupted. It also provided us with the lift we needed, and we looked like the team that wanted to score again. Everyone was like, ‘Come on, let’s go and get the winner!’”

Rovers were rattled and when the fourth official indicated eight minutes of injury time, the home fans sent a soundwave around the stadium’s acoustics that had never been heard before. It clearly lifted the players and then the fairytale happened.

Will Buckley is congratulated by Craig Noone after scoring Albion's equaliser.

With just seconds remaining, Craig Noone sent a delightful ball forward which cut the Rovers defence in half. Buckley was the grateful recipient and, having adjusted his feet, he opened up his right foot to curl the winner past goalkeeper Gary Woods.

“Everything kind of went in slow motion, everything,” he smiled. “When I was running through, it didn’t feel real – and then when the ball hit the back of the net, the place erupted again. It was a moment that will live with me forever.

“I didn’t appreciate what I’d done at the time, but whenever I see or speak to Brighton fans they always mention that game and my two goals. To have a place in the fans’ hearts and the club’s history means so much to me. It was something special that day… it was just meant to be.”