SWINDON Town start the 2012/13 campaign in rather unusual fashion on Tuesday, when they host Brighton and Hove Albion in the first round of the Capital One Cup.
After a successful pre-season campaign, Paolo Di Canio will have a full squad of players to choose from including former Brighton midfielder Alan Navarro, who signed a one-year deal with the Town in June after being released at the end of last season. Navarro will be one of seven new additions hoping to make their competitive debut for the club. Despite the visitors being in a higher division, Di Canio believes his side can match their opponents on the day. He said: “Against Crystal Palace in the second half I wasn’t happy. Brighton are a better team with more quality and more options but we have a chance to go 50/50 with them.”
The Seagulls travel to Wiltshire with a number of ex-Town connections. Manager Gus Poyet was assistant to Dennis Wise during the pair’s short stay at SN1 while goalkeeper Peter Brezovan also makes a return to The County Ground. Gordon Greer needs no introduction to Swindon supporters having captained the Town to the League One play-off final in 2010 before departing for the south coast. Greer could make his first County Ground appearance since his move after missing out through suspension when Brighton were last in town on the opening day of the 2010/11 season.
Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge joined the Seagulls on a season-long loan over the summer and could make his competitive debut at The County Ground. After coming through 90 minutes of Brighton’s 2-2 draw at Crawley on Friday, Bridge is likely to feature against the Town.
Interestingly, this is only the second League Cup meeting between the sides. The first tie was played in October 1994 in the Coca-Cola Cup. After a 1-1 draw in the original tie, Town ran out 4-1 winners in the Third Round Replay at The County Ground courtesy of a brace of goals from both Keith Scott and Jan-Åge Fjørtoft. Town would go on to make the semi-finals of the competition, narrowly missing out on a place at Wembley after a second-leg defeat at Bolton Wanderers.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale from the STFC Online Ticket site or from the STFC Box Office
Adults: £13
Concessions (Senion Citizen/0ver-60/Student (with NUS)*/Young Adult): £8
Junior (Under-16): £2
*Student prices not available on matchday
LAST TWO MEETINGS
26TH March 2011
Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Swindon Town
7th August 2010
Swindon Town 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
