- Albion beat Valencia 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly
- Ini Umotong scores the winner
- All four new summer signings feature
- Hope Powell’s side complete their pre-season camp on Sunday
The Nigeria international fired in a low right-footed strike to give Albion a well-deserved win, in a game which would have given Hope Powell plenty of reasons to feel optimistic ahead of the new FA Women’s Super League season.
The game came at the end of four days of hard graft in the intense Spanish sunshine, as Powell saw her side pass their toughest pre-season test to date with flying colours.
New signings Megan Walsh, Matilde Lundorf and Lea Le Garrec were all included in the starting line-up, while Netherlands international Danique Kerkdijk took her place on the bench.
All four players would have given the Seagulls boss plenty to think about with some very encouraging performances. Walsh proved to be a steady pair of hands at the back, Lundorf and Kerkdijk both looked assured in defence, and Le Garrec showed her attacking flair in the number 10 role.
It was a team that showed plenty of attacking intent, with Aileen Whelan, Ellie Brazil and Kate Natkiel all deployed in the forward positions.
There was a clear need for everyone in Powell’s squad to gain valuable game time, with the FAWSL opener against Bristol City just over three weeks away, and rolling substitutes were introduced to give all players an opportunity to impress.
The intense heat of the day had eased considerably by kick-off, and Albion seemed to use that to advantage by pressing their opponents at any opportunity.
But despite those pressing tactics, Albion engineered their first opening of the game through a set piece. Le Garrec whipped an enticing corner into the box which was flicked on by Victoria Williams, and Natkiel fired over the bar at the far post.
Lundorf looked particularly comfortable at right-back, and she played a brilliant cross in from the right that found Brazil, who in turn teed up Emily Simpkins, but the latter couldn’t divert the ball past Enith Salon.
Kerkdijk, Maya Le Tissier, and Ini Umotong were introduced ahead of the second half, with Kerdijk deployed at centre-half alongside Williams.
It was Umotong that broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, as she latched onto Fern Whelan’s brilliant pass down the right and showed some superb strength to brush off challenges from two Valencia defenders and fire the ball into the bottom corner.
The remainder of the game turned into a real midfield battle, and Albion had to show their ability to grind out a result and continue their pressing game.
Valencia had been underwhelming going forward, and the extent of Walsh’s activity in the second half was to collect a tame free kick from Viola Calligaris.
The full-time whistle was greeted with loud cheers from the Albion bench, as the game finished 1-0, and Powell’s squad will now head into two more days of preparation reflecting on a job well done against their illustrious opponents.
ALBION: Walsh; Lundorf, F. Whelan (Kerkdijk 46), Williams, Gibbons; Buet (Le Tissier 46), Simpkins; Le Garrec; A. Whelan (Gibbons 66), Brazil (Natkiel 77), Natkiel (Umotong 46).
ROLLING SUBS: Hartley (GK), Hack, Kerkdijk, Nilden, Natkiel, Umotong.