Brighton & Hove Albion boss Hope Powell said that she had no complaints after her side were defeated 1-0 by London City Lionesses at The People’s Pension Stadium last night.
A much changed Albion side were defeated by Karin Muya’s goal early in the second half in their second group game in this season’s FA Women’s Continental League Cup.
When reflecting on the defeat, Powell said that London City Lionesses were the better side on the day and deserved their victory.
“We under-performed, we are bitterly disappointed,” Powell said when speaking in a Brighton & Hove Albion press conference.
“It shows the level of the Championship and just how far that has come. I thought that they were the better side on the night and credit to them.
“When we go back to the league campaign, we definitely have to improve on that performance.”
Brighton & Hove Albion lined-up with five teenagers in their ranks and Powell said that the game offered the opportunity to give the club’s youngsters some much needed game time.
She said “It was a real opportunity to field some of the younger players who have had minimal minutes. It is really important that they get that experience and exposure otherwise, it is really difficult during the league campaign to enhance their development. From that perspective, it was really good to give them minutes.”
Brighton & Hove Albion must now look to defeat West Ham United in their final FA Women’s Continental League Cup group game next month to give themselves the best chance of qualification for the quarter-finals.