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Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal in the WSL at The Peoples Pension Stadium |
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The Seagulls face the Gooners at the Broadfield Stadium and come into this as a side that are improving having just gone, loss, draw and win against the other 3 of the top 4. Looking forward to seeing how they do in this very tough fixture. Whatever happens they will attack it with their new positive mindset. Brighton have 3 at the back with Thorrisdotir, Bergsvand and Carabali making up the back line. Li and Kullberg are wingbacks with Katie and Bremer in front of them. In the middle are Zigiotti and Losada. Up front on her own is Terland. The Gooners bring all international stars, both on the pitch and the bench. Stina is up front with Russo in the 10. Not scared yet, Mead 😲 and Foord 🤯 are out wide. It's Beth Mead's first start since her ACL injury last October. Pelova and new arrival and World Cup stand-out Cooney Cross are in the middle. The back four comprises Maritz, Lotta, World Cup hattrick scoring defender Amanda Ilestedt and not forgetting Katie (she only scores bangers) McCabe. Oh, an Zinsberger is in goal. Don't want to think about the bench 🧏♂️. The match is sold out and there are Gooners in all the stands. Jonus EiderDown is in his big coat watching the Seagulls warm up while Melisa watches the Gunners.
Brighton are on the attack for most of the first half but chances are limited. The only goal of the half goes to Stina Blackstinius on 11. When the ball drops to her in the box, she swings at it but it's air shot. Expecting the shot, the defence have backed off allowing her time to spin and try again. She doesn't miss this time and she chips it past Sophie into the top corner. Brighton's positivity is undimmed and they carry on attacking and defending with everything they have. Good to see the Albion getting a bit physical and showing no respect to opposition. They needed to be more clinical with the chances that they did get although Zinsburger did need to make a couple of good saves. Just a goal down at the break. Need a good second half.
The Seagulls continue to play well. Katie Lobinson got one chance to lob the keeper but was too close in after the ball was recycled after a corner. She got another great chance when the ball is played into the 6 yard box when she was tackled by, of all players Alesia Russo, who has been very quiet all game. Beth Mead has a good chance but hits it over. The scoreline doesn't change until 80 minutes when Caitlin Foord hits home from rthe edge of the box. The Gunners finish the game off in style with a great team move as Russo breaks free down the wing, crosses to LeCasse who sets up a shot for Frida who places it in the corner five minutes into injury time. It finishes at 3-0 to the away team, which is one less than last year.
It was good to hear the big cheer as Lee came on as a substitute after her heroic late winner at Man City last week. The atmosphere, both on and off the pitch is much more positive than last season. Some great performances out there today. Bremer played well, Ziggioti was everywhere, Thoririsdotir and Bergsvand had good game. Carabali aspirant 90 minutes doing wrestling practice. The defence kept the world class front line of Arsenal fairly quiet. Vicky Lossada is starting to find her feet and will be a big part of this squad for the rest of the season. It was the depth of squads that was telling in the end. Arsenal geared up for a Champions League campaign, that fell at the first hurdle, compared to the Seagulls who have a much stronger starting 11 but not so many options. Being able to bring Frida Leonardson-Marnum, Leah Walti and Steph Catley off the bench must be horrible for the tired opposition players. The Seagulls should look back at their last 4 games with massive pride having taken 4 points off the top 4 teams. The Gunners aren't new to setting record attendances and have done so today with a new WSL record attendance at the Broadfield of 4921. And one Meerkat.
The Officials officiated well except a couple of times the ref played advantage after a foul on an Albion player when there was clearly no advantage to Brighton and a free kick would have been good. How is being pressured to run back towards your own goal an advantage 🤷♂️.
The Scranometer is back in its favourite place with @Doughshack for a Margarita pizza🍕. Lovely chips 🍟 and a mega hot chocolate ☕ with cream and marshmallows 😍.
Wherever you are in the world, Salam, Shalom, Mir.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| Here for the Seagulls |
