Richie Towell needed a chance.
Richie Towell took it.
Supporters were left united in a hope that the Dubliner would finally kick on after seizing his opportunity with both hands and a sublime finish in defeat in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Towell was given that shot by manager Chris Hughton for Brighton’s trip to National League side Lincoln in the fourth round this weekend.
Midway through the first half, Connor Goldson sent a gorgeous ball over the top and on to the forehead of Glenn Murray, who deftly nodded into the path of the former Dundalk man.
24: GOOAALL!! Towell. #LCFC 0 #BHAFC 1
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 28, 2017
So many players would have swung a desperate left leg at the dropping ball in the hope that the trusty hard-and-low strategy would prove fruitful.
But Towell didn’t rely on chance and used his skill to deftly lob the ball with his right foot over the Lincoln stopper.
@alancaw decent finish pic.twitter.com/lVv93SgOZf
— Stephen Neill (@stiofanoneill) January 28, 2017
The less said about his celebration the better but Towell can be excused for getting a little bit excited after getting his name on the scoresheet following what’s been an unremarkable beginning to life with Brighton.
Towell moved to the Seagulls in November, 2015 but saw his progress hampered by a knee injury that kept him off the pitch for seven months.
He found the net on his comeback, albeit for the Brighton U23’s in the Checkatrade Trophy, and Towell has since kept pushing for a place in Hughton’s plans.
Wahey! https://t.co/0qloyOHifQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 8, 2016
And although he was substituted towards the end of Saturday’s game, even with Brighton chasing the game, his performance had plenty of supporters crossing their fingers that the 25-year-old would kick on from here.
https://twitter.com/whoislloydy/status/825365431749861376
Buzzing for the lad Towell. Hope to see more of him in the title chase run-in https://t.co/ttQlr88J8r
— Rooks Shouts (@RooksShouts) January 28, 2017
Nice to see Richie towell score for Brighton today,hopefully is career in england picks up from now
— Kevin Fitzgerald (@KevinFitz2468) January 28, 2017
Big moment for Richie Towell
— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) January 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/SamOHanrahanSCP/status/825367277491089409
Get in Richie towell. Is that his first goal. Hopefully more to come.
— Cian Madden (@cian_madden) January 28, 2017
Richie towell gets his first goal for Brighton . Hopefully he can push on now like he did in @LeagueofIreland
— Shane Fla (@shaniefla) January 28, 2017
Good to see Richie Towell scoring for Brighton 👏
— Joe Cassidy Athlone (@JoeCassidyIRE) January 28, 2017
So happy for my man Richie Towell scoring! Hope he kicks on because he SHOULD 100% be playing in this #BHAFC team!
— Jose Maskell (@Joemaskell95) January 28, 2017
