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Brighton & Hove Albion 1, London City Lionesses 2.
- samwraight
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Freya Godfrey’s stunning strike was the difference as London City came from behind to defeat Brighton and Hove Albion to earn a hard-fought Barclays Women’s Super League victory at Broadfield Stadium, Crawley.
Player of the Match Godfrey’s goal just shy of half-time secured Eder Maestre his first win as head coach.
Both teams wore black armbands and there was a minute’s applause ahead of kick-off to mark the passing of former Albion Women’s and Girls’ Head of Coaching, Rado Vidošić, and father of women’s head coach Dario on Tuesday.
The home side, led by Chris Roberts with Dario taking a period of leave, started brightly and dominated the opening exchanges – Rosa Kafaji had two early chances.
The Seagulls took a deserved lead midway through the first half through Kiko Seike’s fine strike from the outside of her foot after she latched on to Madison Haley’s backheel.
Visiting goalkeeper Elene Lete was called into action moments later, saving well from Japanese international Seike.
The visitors worked hard and levelled against the run of play through an own goal. Godfrey’s wicked cross from the right wing was inadvertently volleyed in by Brighton defender Moeka Minami.
In what was an end-to-end finish to the opening 45, Brighton's Nadine Noordam saw her shot denied by the post before London City winger Godfrey then netted to put her side ahead following a fine counter-attack, cutting in from the right and finishing into the top corner.
Madison Haley was also denied by the post before the break.
Haley and Seike could have linked up once more to level proceedings, but Seike shot edged wide in the second period.
The home side pushed forward and came close when London City defender Elena Linari lost control of the ball, Haley nipped in to get through on goal. Linari made amends for her error with an excellently timed sliding challenge on the edge of the penalty area.
As well as defending resolutely, Maestre’s side were always a threat on the counter-attack and managed the game effectively to secure the three points.
Head coach Maestre said: “We are happy with the result. We fought hard. We knew it was going to be a tough game and it proved that way.
“It is always hard away from home. I am proud of the team because the way we won was about fight, we were compact and trying to not allow clear chances. We know we need to keep working on our connections.
“It means a lot to earn my first win as head coach. Maybe it’s not the way I prefer to win games but we take the three points and move forward.
"We deserved more in the last game against Manchester City but today was tough.
“I am happy with the result but I know we can improve.”
London City return to action on Sunday (8th February) where we host Everton at the CopperJax Community Stadum, who we secured our first Barclays WSL win against in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park.
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Teamsheet: Lete, Fernández, Pattinson, Pérez (Geyoro 45'), Corrales (Goldie 94'), Asllani (Franssi 82'), Linari (Kennedy 83'), Godfrey (Kumagai 65'), Roddar, Goodwin, Sangaré.
