Albion bowed out of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup in heartbreaking circumstances, but new head coach Melissa Phillips would have been proud of her side’s heroic performance.
The Seagulls showed real discipline, determination and flashes of fine attacking play, and were deservedly heading into the 90th minute with the tie delicately poised at 2-2.
But with Katie Robinson down injured in the United half of the pitch, the hosts broke forward and booked their place in the final through sub Rachel Williams’ fierce drive.
Albion had lost 4-0 to United in their most recent outing in the WSL, and while the league leaders were inevitably red-hot favourites this time out, the formbook was turned on its head.
Indeed, Phillips’ side belied their own position at the foot of the table and started the game clearly the better of the two teams.
As early as the third minute, Katie Robinson’s blistering pace down the right resulted in a low ball into the box, but the danger was cleared by the United rear-guard.
At the other end of the pitch, the Seagulls’ defence was also performing well, dropping deep to counter the long balls forward. An Ella Toone effort that sailed over the bar was all that the hosts could muster in the opening stages.
Robinson again caused problems with her pace, and her direct run and deft touch across the box was cleared by ex-Seagull Maya Le Tissier for a corner – the first of the game.
As the game settled, United enjoyed the bulk of possession but Phillips’ side remained disciplined in their shape, looked comfortable on the backfoot, and were rarely stretched.
And when the backline was breached, Lydia Williams was on form, and she did superbly to tip an Alessia Russo over the bar on 27 minutes.
Albion continued to look dangerous on the break and they opened the scoring on 36 minutes when Vea Sarri drove forward down the left, fired an effort towards the far post, and a weak hand by United keeper Mary Earps diverted the ball over the line
The hosts responded with Lucia Garcia bringing a save out of Williams, but it was the Seagulls’ travelling fans who were in full voice as they cheered their side off at half-time with the lead intact.
Sadly, that lead lasted barely a minute when Ona Batlle drove down the right and her low ball into the box was steered home by Leah Galton – her fifth goal in four games against the Seagulls.
Toone fired another effort over the bar moments later, while Earps redeemed her earlier mistake by tipping a fizzing Julia Zigiotti effort over the bar.
Phillips then made a triple substitution, bringing on the experience of Danielle Carter, Megan Connolly and Kayleigh Green, and the side regained its composure after a period of United pressure.
United continue to push forward, however, and they were rewarded on 70 minutes when Katie Zelem slipped in Russo, who fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Yet given the way Albion had approached the game, it surprised nobody when they equalised just five minutes later. A ball over the top was met by Carter and she shrugged off the challenge of Millie Turner before superbly firing home her ninth goal of the season.
And then came the agonisingly late blow. While Robinson remained down on the turf, Albion continued to push forward. Sadly, the attack broke down, United pounced on the numerical advantage, and Williams met another Zelem pass to fire home.
It was an extremely tough result to take, but there will be so much the side can take as they aim to lift themselves up the table in the final WSL games of the season.
FT: A tough one to take as our #WomensFACup journey comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/Q3egTd6kz3
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) April 15, 2023
Albion: L Williams, Fox, Morse, Kullberg, Pattinson, Zigiotti, Bance (58 Connolly), Robinson (90 Visalli), Terland (58 Carter), Sarri (58 Green), Lee.
Subs not used: Walsh, Stefanovic, Stott, Park, V Williams.