Our Adobe Women’s FA Cup campaign came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Meadow Park on Easter Sunday.
There were chances for both sides in a goalless first half, with Daphne van Domselaar and Chiamaka Nnadozie making crucial saves to deny Jelena Cankovic and Mariona Caldentey respectively.
But a quick start to the second half saw the Seagulls take the lead through Madison Haley’s finish on a tight angle, before Caitlin Hayes doubled Albion’s advantage with a header into the top corner.
First Half
Brighton made a strong start to the tie and almost took the lead in the first minute when Cankovic’s long-range effort forced an excellent diving save from van Domselaar.
The Seagulls kept the pressure on from the resulting corner, and were only denied by Laia Codina’s block on the line.
We responded to the visitor’s early chances and came close to the opening goal ourselves when Mariona forced a diving save from Nnadozie from the edge of the penalty area.
The best chance of the half fell to us on the half-hour mark when Chloe Kelly’s cross was met by Smilla Holmberg from close range, but Nnadozie produced an outstanding save to keep the scores level.
Second Half
Just as they did in the first half, Brighton made a strong start after the break, and took the lead when Haley lashed a powerful effort across goal into the top corner.
With momentum behind them, the Seagulls pushed a quick second and almost had it when Cankovic’s low drive forced a quick reaction save from van Domselaar.
Renée Slegers responded with a triple change, bringing on Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and Caitlin Foord as we pushed to level the tie.
But it was the visitors who got the all-important second goal in the tie when Hayes rose highest the back post and found the top corner with a powerful header.
We almost got one back five minutes from full-time when Codina rifled a powerful effort towards the bottom corner, only for Nnadozie to make another excellent save.
We pushed to get back into the game and kept Brighton penned in throughout the closing stages of the game, but the Seagulls fended off our attacks to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
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