This was supposed to be a review of the Brentford match. But Brighton & Hove council neglected to grit the Withdean pitch. So a Saturday afternoon talking to wives or girlfriends (or perhaps both) had to be endured by many.

During the 80's they would have played Saturday's match. With perhaps some players in tights, or track suit bottoms. With Sergio Tacchini roll necks under their shirts. Yes, tights. Keith Weller! Remember?

Of course no 1980's arctic type match could go ahead with out the obligatory orange Adidas Tango ball.

These luminous spheres have become iconic reminders of a period that occurred just before the hi tec world we now live in. A time where no one would worry about how anyone got to the game, or how treacherous the stands were.

In those days no one ever received a daily email asking 'Injured in the snow? Not your fault? Call us and we'll get you a few grand at the expense of some else'. Back then 'spam' was to go in fritters for school dinners. Also in those days if a pitch was playable, even only just, the game went on.

I remember an orange ball at home to Hull in the FA Cup 3rd in 1985. Where an away fan with fluorescent green gloves courted the attention of a bored North Stand.

But my favourite recollection is away to Peterborough in February 1986.Again in the cup, this time the 5th round, the last time we made the last sixteen I think.

They even made the lines an orangey colour. Perry Digweed tee'd the ball up for his goal kicks on little mounds of snow. He constructed these when the ball was down the other end. Although I am not positive, I am sure some Albion fan gave Perry a swig from his hip flask, halfway through the second half.

The Albion drew the game 2-2, but won a replay at Goldstone a few weeks later. Again with an orange ball and a pitch cleared by fans, including yours truly.

The last orange ball event I remember, was another 3rd round FA Cup tie at home to Scunthorpe in 1991. We won 3-2, and Igor Gurinovich scored his only two Albion goals. Apart from the ball, two other points stick in my mind. The match announcer patronisingly commenting on the amount of Scunny fans who had made the journey (around 400) with a 'well done'. Also, as Hull did 6 years earlier, Scunny fans cheered the fact Grimsby were losing at half time that day. Most Albion fans thought both these clubs were small fry and a bit laughable at the time. How things have moved on.

The next match for the current Seagulls could be against Aston Villa. Although a fixture at nearby Walsall is scheduled before that. Walsall in even slightly inclement weather is unlikely.

We have a 6,000 allocation at Villa Park. Gold Members (season ticket holders) have first dibs. Other loyal fans (blue members) who don't hand over their 400 odd quid, any time from June onwards, fight over what's left. It appears there have been a few problems with online passwords, but in my opinion the process has worked well so far. The press officer Mr Camillin, has gone beyond the call of duty on certain message boards to ensure no one misses out at this stage. The ticket office do a good job with these type of cup ties.

I am itching to write a review of a match, so Villa will be the perfect remedy. Yeah I know I owe an Orient blog. If anyone can't sleep leave your number below and I'll talk you through it.

I just wonder when John Gregory will chirp up.