Report: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 Bristol City Women.

Match Report Sponsor: University of the West of England

What happened? 

It was a cagey opening twenty minutes at The People’s Pension Stadium as neither side managed to force a clear sight at goal, with the Seagulls arguably starting the brighter of the two teams.

The first shot on goal for City came via Ebony Salmon, whose audacious half volley from the right hand side of the box was a whisker away from nestling in the far corner of the Brighton net.

Beth Roe had the host’s first shot on goal as she stung the palms of Sophie Baggaley, who pushed the full-back’s bullet shot over the bar and on to the roof of the net.

Bristol City grew stronger as the first half wore on and Salmon had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock. In textbook Ebony Salmon fashion she turned on the jets to leave Ellie Brazil in the dust and cut onto her right foot, however she could only pick out the base of the post, which allowed the Seagulls to clear.

Both teams continued to battle for the stranglehold on the game but neither side could find the opener in the first forty-five.

The second half had a similar feel to the first as both teams struggled to break each other down.

Brighton took the lead midway through the second period after substitute Naomi Layzell was penalised for handling the ball in the area when blocking Emily Simpkin’s shot.

Dutch international, Inessa Kaagman stepped up to take the spot-kick and dispatched into the top left corner.

Molly Pike tested Fiskerstrand with ten minutes remaining as she let fly from 25-yards, but the ‘keeper comfortably dealt with her effort.

Bristol City were unable to find an equaliser and exit the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. 

Teams:

Brighton and Hove Albion: Fiskerstrand, Roe, Gibbons (Williams 20’), Kerkdijk, Le Tissier, Kaagman, Heroum, Brazil, Simpkins, Jarrett, Bance

Subs: Walsh (GK), Startup (GK), Connolly, Koivisto, Green, Symonds, Olding

Bristol City Women: Baggaley, Evans ©, Pike, Humphrey, Salmon, Daniels, Wellings, Palmer, Sargeant, Purfield, Skeels

Subs: Håland, Bryson, Allen, Bissell, Collis, Cook, Harrison, Layzell, Mastrantonio