WHAT a day. What drama. What disappointment too for the thousands of Brighton and Hove Albion fans packed into Wembley Stadium and those watching on television either at home or in the pub.
Ultimately, Albion were beaten 7-6 on penalties by Manchester United after 120 minutes of pulsating football. It was cruel too for Hailsham’s Solly March who missed the vital spot-kick in sudden death.
In truth Albion were the better team and created the better chances to score but they failed to convert any of them, leading to extra-time and then the dreaded lottery of a shoot-out.
Brighton, who have been enjoying a stellar season in the Premier League, were so close to reaching their first FA Cup final in 40 years.
Early on World Cup winner Alex Mac Allister sent a free-kick just wide of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea’s post and the signs continued to look promising as Albion were clearly the better side in the opening 45 minutes.
However, United started the second-half with a bang and the Sussex club were indebted to goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for a spectacular one-handed save to keep the match goalless.
Still Albion pressed and good chances presented themselves for Japanese international Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck, who sent a header over the crossbar when he probably should have scored.
Substitute Deniz Undav also spurned a glorious chance while Mitoma, a firm favourite with the Albion fans, lost control of the ball when he seemed certain to score.
The Albion fans remained in magnificent voice as the match entered extra-time, often out singing the opposition supporters from the red half of Manchester.
If nerves were jangling during the extra 30 minutes, they were practically shredded when the whistle sounded to bring to an end an enthralling match.
But of course there was still so much more to come in the penalty shoot-out itself.
The 81,000 fans packed into Wembley could only wait with bated death for the outcome.
Of course penalty shoot-outs are a cruel way to settle a match for the simple reason that ultimately one team has to lose, but it couldn’t have been much closer than this one.
Brighton stepped up first with Mac Allister taking responsibility. Cool as a cucumber he scored to put the Sussex club 1-0 up. As Casemiro prepared to take the first one for United, the tension was palpable but he also scored with ease to make it 1-1.
Pascal Grob then converted his penalty to put Albion back in the driving seat only for Diego Dalot to level things up once more.
And so it went on with Undav, Estupinan and skipper Lewis Dunk scoring for Albion with United replying each time via Sancho, Rashford and Sabitzer.
Cue sudden death. Adam Webster put Albion 6-5 ahead but Weghorst once again levelled. Then it was March’s turn. He stepped up and blazed the ball over the crossbar. United knew they would win if Lindelof scored. He did. The dream was over.
However, March and his team-mates must hold their heads high despite defeat. What an effort but in the end it was a case of so close and yet so far.
