Brighton & Hove Albion women’s first-team manager Hope Powell was pleased with her side’s second-half performance in the 3-0 FA Women’s Super League defeat against Manchester City.
The Seagulls were undone by three first-half goals, including a third-minute penalty, and Powell conceded that the slow start may have affected her team’s belief of getting a result.
She said, “It was disappointing that we conceded the goal so early on as it sets you on the back foot, which knocks your confidence.
“We were unfortunate [conceding the penalty]. Ellie Hack was making her first start so it may have been a little inexperience, but I must give her credit for the way she responded for the rest of the match as she didn’t let it affect her game.
“Having experience alongside her helped her get through the next 89 minutes, and if she keeps playing like she did for the rest of the match today, she’ll have a bright future at this club.”
City put the match out of reach before the break, but Powell took the positives from the second-half performance, where Albion managed to stop City adding to the score line after changing the shape and bringing on Ini Umotong up front.
“Manchester City are a very good side and while we may not be pleased with the result, I think we can be pleased with the second half performance, which we kept at 0-0.
“We made a few changes which suited us and we managed to get players higher up the pitch, so I was pleased with the second half.
“Physically Ini [Umotong] is very strong and has good aerial presence. She contributes power and pace and that was the big difference in the second half.”
Powell then looked ahead to Albion’s next match against Manchester United in the SSE Women’s FA Cup, which she believes will be another good challenge for her side.
“It’s another big game for us. We recognise the start that Manchester United have had and it will be a test for us. It’s a cup game and we want to stay in it as long as we can.
“We know they are a good side who are flying in their league. They will undoubtedly get promoted, but it will be a great experience playing against another good side.
“A lot of our team are new to WSL and have come up from the Championship and a lot of the United players are England youth internationals, so they will be used to playing in a certain style which we’ll need to be prepared for.”
Tickets for Albion’s upcoming SSE Women’s FA Cup match against Manchester United on Sunday 3rd February are available to purchase online at a price of £7 for adults and £3 for under-10s. Visit BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com/tickets to buy yours.