Albion were beaten in a penalty shoot-out for the second successive home game after drawing 2-2 with West Ham in their Continental Cup opener at the People's Pension Stadium.
The hosts fell behind to a goal from Rachel Daly but went in front with goals either side of half-time thanks to Megan Connolly and Rianna Jarrett.
Gilly Flaherty equalised with nine minutes to go so the bonus point was decided on penalties. Jarrett missed her effort and skipper Dani Bowman's spot-kick was saved by Courtney Brosnan as the Hammers won the shoot-out 4-2.
What happened
Albion began brightly and had a great chance in the 11th minute. Maya Le Tissier’s diagonal ball from the right was helped on by Denise O’Sullivan to Fliss Gibbons but from a tight angle she lifted a close-range shot over the bar.
Gibbons was involved again in the West Ham box seven minutes later. Danique Kerkdijk’s long ball picked her out and she got ahead of Hammers’ keeper Brosnan before the ball was eventually cleared.
Goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand made a superb low reflex save to deny Daly on 29 minutes but three minutes later the West Ham forward put her team in front, converting Adrianna Leon’s ball across the face of goal at the far post. There was more than a hint that Daly was offside, but despite Albion protests the goal stood.
Albion nearly responded three minutes later when Geum-Min Lee rattled the bar from 20 yards but the hosts deservedly levelled in the 42nd minute. Nora Heroum’s free kick from the left was perfect for Megan Connolly to attack and her glancing header flew just inside the right-hand post. On the balance of play it was no more than Albion deserved.
Powell sent on Aileen Whelan and Kayleigh Green at the break and Whelan nearly scored with her first touch in the 48th minute but fired over from 12 yards after Denise O’Sullivan’s initial effort was blocked by Brosnan.
Fiskerstrand was equally as alert at the other when blocking Leon’s close-range shot before Albion took the lead in the 61st minute. Heroum’s corner from the right into a crowded six-yard box was eventually forced over the line from close range by Jarrett.
The bar denied Albion for the second time two minutes later when Kirsty Barton’s ball found O’Sullivan onside and her lob went over Courtney but clipped the top of the bar.
The game got more stretched and Albion nearly extended their lead in the 73rd minute when Courtney smothered Whelan’s header on the line before West Ham drew level nine minutes from time. Daly’s free kick from the left was headed goalwards by Gilly Flaherty and it took a big deflection on its way past the helpless Fiskerstrand.
With the scores level at 2-2 after 90 minutes the bonus point was decided by a penalty shoot-out. Jarrett dragged Albion's first spot kick wide of the target but Nora Heroum and Victoria Williams both scored before Bowman's effort was well saved by Brosnan. Alisha Lehmann scored the decisive penalty.
Flexible friends
Hope Powell sprung something of a surprise when Dani Bowman, normally her midfield lynchpin, lined up in the centre of defence alongside Danique Kerkdijk. It wasn’t the only flexible selection employed by the head coach. Kirsty Barton’s return to the starting XI at right back meant a more advanced role for Maya Le Tissier while Fliss Gibbons, normally Albion’s left back, played in midfield and often found herself even further up the field.
On the comeback trail
Nearly a year after rupturing her ACL against Birmingham City and three operations later, Ellie Brazil is returning to fitness. The 21-year-old did some intensive drills before kick-off at Crawley and is hoping to be available for selection again next month.
The line up
Albion: Fiskerstrand, Le Tissier (Green 45), Williams, Kerkdijk, Gibbons (Whelan 45), Barton, Connolly, Bowman, O’Sullivan (Kaagman 76), Heroum, Lee (Jarrett 56).
Subs not used: Walsh, Stott, Simpkins.
Next up
Albion take on leaders Arsenal at the People's Pension Stadium on Sunday in the Barclays FA Women's Super League, kick off 12.30pm.