Barton To Take Positives From City Clash

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Kirsty Barton is urging her team-mates to take the positives from the performance against Manchester City into this Sunday’s FA WSL 2 clash against London Bees at Culver Road, kick-off 2pm.

Luke Swindlehurst’s side have had an inconsistent campaign to date with eight points from their eight league games so far, but Barton says that will count for nothing at the weekend.

She said, “Everyone has the right attitude. We wouldn’t go into a game thinking it will be easy.

“We faced them in the first game of the FA WSL Spring Series. They’ve got solid players in their team and although they’re going through a difficult spell at the moment, I wouldn’t underestimate them because they are a very good side.

“We will be prepared and hopefully we carry across some of the positives from the Man City game.”

Barton then reflected on the Manchester City game as a whole - and despite the 2-0 defeat, she felt there were plenty of positives to take ahead of the club’s debut season in FA WSL 1 next season.

“I thought we held our own. We made it hard for Manchester City and the nice thing is we had a couple of chances on goal.

“I thought Ini [Umotong] gave them a bit of trouble when she ran at them. It was good to have that game because this is the level we want to be at.

“But we know it’s a massive learning curve and we still have a long way to progress.”

The midfielder admits she is being spurred on by the prospect of earning a full-time contract next season, and fulfilling a dream of becoming a professional footballer.

“I’ve really enjoyed Sunday and I would love to be a part of WSL1 next season, and it’s an opportunity that I would grab with both hands.

“I’ve been so focused on my football but, as a kid, I never thought I’d be able to play full-time football. I just need to keep working hard and hopefully I can get there.”

Read more from Kirsty in this Sunday's matchday magazine at Culver Road, priced at just £2.

Advance tickets are no longer available for the match, but tickets can be purchased on the gate at Culver Road, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s/over-65s.