Brighton & Hove Albion dominate at the Amex to record first league win

Brighton and Hove Albion have recorded their first league win of the season, beating Birmingham City 3-0 to move into ninth position in the FA Women’s Super League table.

Two goals either side of half-time from Kayleigh Green and a stunning first half strike by Lea Le Garrec, secured the three points for The Seagulls.

Brighton & Hove Albion dominance

In front of 4,130 fans at the Amex Stadium, it was Brighton & Hove Albion who opened the scoring. Following a ball forward by defender Maya Le Tissier, striker Ellie Brazil was brought down inside the box by Blues defender Harriet Scott. There was a lengthy delay as the Brighton & Hove Albion medical staff treated Brazil for a leg injury. After the stoppage, Green confidently stepped up and dispatched the ball into the top corner from the penalty spot.

Albion dominated for the majority of the first half and nearly scored a second. Blues keeper Hannah Hampton saved well down to her left to deny Green from a header. 

Birmingham City did create a chance of their own when Abbi Grant was played through on goal, only to see her effort drift wide.

Just after the half-hour mark, the home side thought they had doubled their advantage, only to see a header by Emily Simpkins ruled out for offside after a good save by Hampton. The Blues keeper was again called into action five minutes later. Excellent build-up play on the right hand side led to a Simpkins header that was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by the busy Birmingham City keeper.

Le Garrec wonder goal

Brighton & Hove Albion finally doubled their advantage just before half-time through midfielder Le Garrec. The midfielder’s 25-yard effort was her first for The Seagulls since joining in the summer.

In a second half that saw little in the way goalscoring action, it was Hope Powell’s side who added a third. With 20 minutes to play, Green added her second of the match with a header following a corner from Le Garrec.

Brighton & Hove Albion face London Bees in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup on Wednesday, before returning to league action against Manchester United next Sunday. Birmingham City host league leaders Chelsea in seven days time.

Line-ups

Brighton & Hove Albion

Walsh, Gibbons, F. Whelen, Barton, Le Tissier, Bowman, Le Garrec, Simpkins, Brazil, Green, A. Whelen

Subs: Natkiel, Niden, Lundorf, Harris, Kerkdijk, Williams, Bance

Birmingham City

Hampton, Scott, Gregory, Holloway, Jordan, Arthur, Visalli, Whipp, Grant, Scofield, Walker

Subs: Brooks, Rabjohn, Simkin, Jones

Attendance: 4,130

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