News

Women's under-21s season review

Under-21s head coach Sinead Hogan-Belcher reflects on the 2021/22 campaign.

By Sinead Hogan-Belcher • 28 June 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
The women's under-21s won the Sussex FA County Cup Final.

As we get ready to begin another season, it’s great to take this time to sit back and reflect on the past season.

It only feels appropriate to note the pandemic, not for its negative effects but rather from the silver linings and the proudness we felt as a staff group to see our youth rise, continue to strive and succeed following the tough circumstances we all faced. 

The never lie down mentality was strong in the WU21 group starting the first game of the season with a 4-1-win against Arsenal and continuing a winning streak with good level performances at the beginning stages.

We faced one of our toughest environments away to Liverpool in the league cup, the pitch near frozen as the hail stones pounded down throughout the game, the squad fought the battle to 90mins to a 1-1 draw. At 90+3 we conceded a goal that would leave the squad in tears and became a moment often referred to in the season to never let happen again – a milestone in the players continued individual and team development.

By Paul Hazlewood
Women's under-21 boss Sinead Hogan-Belcher.

As highlighted at the beginning, the squad never lie down, and this moment gave a lesson which led WU21 squad to winning the Sussex FA County Cup Final as the first youth side to do so in this competition. 

I would use the term silver linings to round off the squad this season. No matter what they faced they found the positive and went again and that is courageous, admirable, and simply what we feel Brighton & Hove Albion is all about, representing our BHAFC values in excellent fashion. 

By Paul Hazlewood
Hogan-Belcher praised her team's attitude during the pandemic.

I’d like to congratulate all the progress off pitch also some notable moments from the players who passed their driving tests, started their first job, achieved their college qualifications and graduated university and those recently accepted to university we wish you all the best. 

Lastly, we’d like to wish all the best to our 21/22 Women’s U21 graduates: 

  • Juliet Adebowale Arimoro
  • Josie Longhurst
  • Faith Nokuthula
  • Cerys Jones
  • Lea Cordier
  • Alisha Clarke Manwaring
  • Jemima Larkin
  • Georgia Jenkins
  • Ciara Hynes
  • Iesha Swaby 

We thank you for your contribution to Brighton & Hove Albion.