Chelsea 2 Albion 1: Camacho nets in defeat at Kingsmeadow

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Albion beaten at the home of the reigning champions.

Luke Nicoli

2026-03-18T21:02+00:00

The Spaniard saw her 20-yard drive find the back of the net. 📸 by Kyle Hemsley.

Our women's team suffered a dose of the Blues as they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at Kingsmeadow Stadium tonight.

The defeat was the Seagulls' third successive in the WSL but they put in a spirited performance against the current champions and newly-crowned League Cup winners.

All three goals were scored in an exciting first half where Carla Camacho cancelled out an early strike from Alyssa Thompson, with Lexi Potter netting what proved to be the winner shortly before half-time.

Albion had gone 38 days without a game, since the FA Cup win against West Ham United, and were also missing top scorer Kiko Seike, who is on international duty with Japan.

Caitlin Hayes and Maisie Symonds high-five. 📸 by Kyle Hemsley.

It didn't show, however, as the Seagulls made a bright start, with Madison Haley having two efforts on goal in the opening ten minutes – with both blocked by the Blues rearguard.

Chelsea, fresh from their cup success against Manchester United on Sunday, soon got into their stride and broke the deadlock on 13 minutes when Sandy Baltimore sent over a teasing cross from the left, leaving Thompson free to head home from close range.

The lead lasted just four minutes, however, as Albion broke forward through the dangerous Camacho – her low drive from 20 yards taking a deflection before creeping inside Hampton's left-hand post.

The half continued at pace with Chelsea dominating possession and continuing to probe, but Albion still looking a danger on the break – most notably through Camacho.

Carla Camacho equalised for Albion. 📸 by Kyle Hemsley.

It was from one such move that the Albion created the game's next chance on 36 minutes – Rachel McLaughlin powering forward then unleashing a drive from outside the box that narrowly flew over Hampton's crossbar.

Chelsea, however, restored their lead just three minutes later when Baltimore weaved her magic down the left before sending another teasing cross into the box. The ball fell to Potter who, on her first WSL start, made no mistake from close range.

Aggie Beever-Jones also saw a low effort saved by the feet of Seagulls keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie but the half ended with the visitors still very much in the game.

The second half failed to live up to the excitement of the first with chances very much at a premium.

Manuela Vanegas bursts forward. 📸 by Kyle Hemsley.

Thompson dragged an effort wide for the Blues on the hour mark, likewise Keira Walsh four minutes later. And while Albion continued to break forward with pace, their final ball was lacking.

The introduction of Rosa Kafafi gave the Seagulls added impetus but they failed to get back on level terms – their best effort being a Maisie Symonds corner that caused mayhem inside the six-yard box in injury time.

While they came away without the points, Albion can certainly take heart from the performance ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool.

Albion: Nnadozie, McLaughlin (Auee 84), Vanegas, Hayes, Olislagers (Mpome 67), Noordam (Kafaji 67), Cankovic, Symonds, Hayley, Kirby (Tvedten 84), Camacho (Rayner 46).