Brighton v Man Utd

Thorn in my off-side Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United in the WSL at The Peoples Pension Stadium

Where are we and what's going on?

The Seagulls host the Red Devils on a sunny day in Sussex. It was pouring with rain earlier so the pitch will be a bit wet. No sprinklers required today. Hope it’s not too soft for a bit of nifty footwork. We were here to watch the Seagulls beat Southampton just before the international break. The break provided a few bits of news. The good news is that Baggers got a late call up when Hannah dropped out. She didn’t play but it’s fantastic news that she got the call at last. The bad news is that Michelle was injured in the Australia game. It’s her ACL 🤯 so that’s her season over. We’re really gutted 😭 for her as everything was just starting to come together and she was building a reputation as an England supersub.

Our new Lioness, Baggers, is on the bench again today. Chiamaka is in the goal. In front of her are Moeka and Caitlin. Wide of them are Charlie and Marisa. In the middle are “Captain” Maisie and Jelena. Up front are Fran and Carla with Kiko and Rosa on the wings.

The Red Devils have got a formidable line up. Now boasting 3 ex-seagulls as they have signed Zigioti from Bayern Munich. They also signed Fridolina Rolfo in Barca’s big summer clearout. And swapped Jess Park and a few quid for Grace Clinton. A bargain that. They don’t quite have the Gunners array of international stars on the bench but they do have Rachel Williams who is a late goal specialist. If we attack these the way we went at Arsenal then who knows what can happen. We are going to beat them one day.

We’re 7th in the league, just behind newcomers and big spenders, London City. The Samba band 🥁🪘🪇, now newly branded as the “Gulls Aloud”, have had a good warm up in the fan zone. Hope that they make a good noise during the match. They might need to drown out the Toone army although there are a lot less red shirts in the home end than previously. Let’s hope we get plenty to make a noise about, It’s our remembrance game so the managers lay wreaths . The last post 🎺 is played. And we’re off. Let’s go Brighton, let’s go.📣

Off we go…

It starts with some good passing and moving from both sides. Brighton fans making a noise and getting behind the team, There is some really good build up play from Fran, whose running brings in Maisie and Jelena in to it. Fran’s shot is blocked, it drops to Maisie who hits it over the bar. There is an interesting battle developing on the right wing with Kiko and Anna Sandberg. It’s already a little feisty. Park makes a good run and takes a shot from range. It’s tame and easily collected.

Brighton are pressing high and Utd are sitting in and waiting to break. At the 9th minute, we sing a song for our No. 9, Michelle Agyemang to show her she’s not forgotten. Some good Reds build up see the ball with Ziggi but her shot is deflected. Brighton get their first corner on 14. 🎵Let’s go Brighton, let’s go🎵. It eventually goes out for a goal kick despite the ball not going out. Utd seem to be making the decisions now.

Brighton are still pressing with Kiko and Fran linking up well on the right. They need to keep the ball but don’t and Jess Park goes storming up the pitch. It needs a good block. Carla gets her first real possession but it’s well defended by Sandberg. It’s a really energetic game but there are few real chances. Terri shoots just wide after Parks run and cross. The Reds are starting to get the better of the Seagulls with some half chances coming. Seagulls are wasting the ball when they get it.

There is more good play from Kiko and Fran down the right but there are no real chances coming from it. Utd are creating better chances but can’t finish theirs either. 🎵Come on Brighton🎵.

Brighton are playing from back to front. We hear from the Utd fans for the first time as they heckle Chiamaka with “You’re s**t ahhh”. Cankovic is on target from the edge of the box but it’s straight at the keeper. Play stops as Riviere goes down. Is she injured? It looks like it but she plays on. Mallard hits over from outside the box. Way over and into the car park.

🎵Maisie Symonds, she’ one of our own🎵 is having a good game. Brighton are getting to the final third then trying to find the perfect pass. Fran and Carla combine well after a Utd attack breaks down. Rosa makes the wrong choice and blasts over when better options were available for once. Utd break with Toone forcing the best save yet from Chiamaka. She drops it but recovers before it gets poached by the opposition.

It’s very transitional now, lots of end to end play. There is plenty of energy in attack both ways but little quality at either end. The Kiko-Sandberg scrap is on-going. The deadlock is apparently broken when Terri scores from the middle of the box. It’s off-side but given anyway. 0-1. Not fair. We’re into the 3 added minutes. Kiko and Rosa break but again there is no finish. Toone gets a chance with the last kick of the half. We’re behind at the break but it feels very harsh.

There is a change at the restart as Maelys comes on, replacing Rosa so Marisa will play further forward. Minami moves across to play left back.

Brighton are straight on the attack with Maisie and Fran. It’s a good move but without much support, Fran chips/crosses to no-one. Kiko and Sandberg have started round 2 of their territorial dispute. A cross from Maya threatens to go into her own net and it panics Chiamaka. Brighton are starting to look very hesitant in defence. The energy seems to have gone out of the game a bit except for Kiko who looks to have won Round 3 with Sandberg. Brighton's dithering at the back continues and it’s making us all nervous.

Toone’s run and cutback finds Jess Park. 0-2 on 58. It was coming. The Reds make 3 changes with Hannah Blundell coming on for her first appearance since having a baby. Also arriving is ex-Barca star Fridolina Rolfo and youngster Simi Awujo.   Off are Toone, Malard and Riviere. Swings and roundabouts with that lot.

And Brighton haven’t learned. Still dithering around at the back. Getting pressed and losing possession. Dario decides to change things up and Rachel replaces Carla. She goes to the right wing and Kiko moves across to play centrally. The change seems to work and Kiko soon breaks but hits the post. Not just hits it, we can hear how hard she hit it. Left the post ringing.

The Brighton tempo is up now and they are pressing higher. Some precise passing (thats’ a first today) from Jelena and Marisa releases Fran. She hits a great shot into the bottom left corner on 68. We have a goal back. 1-2 ⚽. Need to keep this up.

Rolfo hits a good shot and it’s deflected wide off Minami. Goal kick apparently. Ha Ha. Sums up the officiating this half. Is that lino watching the ball at all?

It gets scrappy as Brighton press from an equaliser. Kiko is playing centrally now so she won’t miss Sangberg who is replaced by Gabby George. Ziggi is replaced by Naaslund. It allows them to dominate for a while.

The Seagulls next change is to replace Caitlin with Nadine. Marisa moves to full back and Minami moves back to central defence again.

Utd come close to extending their lead as Terri's header is tipped over the bar by Chiamaka. She catches the corner. Brighton are pushing for an equaliser as the clock runs into the last 5. It’s close as Kiko heads just over. Brighton are caught up the pitch and Utd break. The Seagulls defence is out of shape and out of breath getting back. Naaslund fires home from the edge of the box on 90.

There are 5 added minutes. 🎵Come on Brighton🎵. It’s still end to end. At last, a long curling cross from Marisa catches out Maya. Kiko capitalises and chips the stranded keeper ⚽. 2-3. Just need one more 🙏. Brighton are pushing for the equaliser. The ball just won’t quite drop right. The band is still going strong 🎵Come on Brighton🎵. It doesn’t happen and it’s a 2-3 loss at the whistle. Close game that.

We think it’s all over..

That was a great game. It’s not the scoreline that we wanted or deserved. We really believed that we could level it at the end. The performance was patchy at times with the insistence on playing out from the the back verging on suicidal at times. Especially with so many changes in the back line. We just invited the press and the 2nd Utd goal was inevitable. By the time it came to their 3rd, Charlie was exhausted, having played full back in the 1st half and centre half in the 2nd. Perhaps a bit more squad depth would mean a bit less moving players around during the game. Does seem to disrupt things as they take time to adjust. We had plenty of possession but could do with a little bit more risk taking in front of the opposition goal. We seem happy to take risks in front of our own goal.

The Samba band made a good noise. In contrast with the Man U fans who had nothing other than heckling Chiamaka like 12 year olds. The Toone Army notable by their absence. That’s surprising as it’s not far from their preferred habitat in Surrey. It’s another performance against the Reds that doesn’t get the result it deserves. We’re done here and looking forward to a trip with Swindle with the SWA.

And some other stuff

POTM: Fran 🏅 was as energetic as ever and really driving the team. She was involved in everything and that partnership with Kiko is really starting to work. Frantastic.

The officials had their heads turned by one of the big 4 playing on Sky. It’s boring now that you know what’s coming and it’s as poor as expected from the PGMufcOL.

The Scran’O’meter loves the chips here. 10/10. The Latte 7/10 and doughnuts 8/10 were good too. Yum. Thanks. Scooter seemed to enjoy his sausage and awarded it 10/10.

See you soon.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

The Last Post

Sunshine in Sussex

A cuddle with Sally

Treblemaker

Chelsea v Manchester United in the Adobe Women's FA Cup Final At Wembley

We are back at Prenton Park South as the Blues take on the Reds in a repeat of the final 2 years ago. It’s the World's greatest cup competition and the 2 previous winners are trying to get their hands back on the famous trophy. The Blues are up for the treble having already won the WSL and the cup formerly known as the Conti Cup. The Reds are trying for back to back trophies. They lost to Arsenal in a 7 goal thriller so finished 3rd in the WSL. The season ends here with the FA Cup Final which is as it should be. We’re way up in the cheap seats with a good, although distant view of the whole pitch. The pitch is looking great after yesterday's men’s final but it did get a good watering afterwards. #PepsTears. We’ve had a selfie with Basil, fallen out with the security and made it up to the lofty heights above the dugouts and tunnel. The team sheets are out and the surprise it that it’s 3 at the back for the Chels. In Blue are Mille, Naomi and Natalie, Running up and down the wings are Lucy and Niamh. It’s Erin and Kiera in the middle. Up front are Aggie, Mayra and Sandy. Hannah is in goal as ever. Only Millie and Niamh remain from the winning team 2 years ago. The Reds have gone for a back 4 with Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier centrally in front of Phalon Tullis-Joyce. Aoife Mannion is on the right and Gabbi George on the left. There is no Jade Riviere today. Miyazawa and Jansen are in the middle. Bizet and Galton are either side of Grace Clinton who is the 10. Terri is up front. The two goalkeepers are joint holders of the WSL seasons Golden Glove. We’re expecting this to be tense and nervy with so much at stake. But we’re hoping for an end to end goal fast. There are loads of people on the pitch. Oli Murs  🎶 comes on and does a new song that nobody knows and then “Dance with me tonight”. No sign of Troublemaker. There are wheelie bins of fire 🔥 joined by a few fireworks 🎆. It's not as exciting up here as it is near the front. It’s all cleared away very quickly and we’re off. Go Chels.

It’s all Red at the start with them dominating, mostly via Bizet on the right. A succession of corners leads to nothing. The Blues can’t hold onto the ball. It takes 10 minutes for them to settle into the game and start to get forward. It’s down the wings mostly, primarily on the left with Niamh and Sandy. It’s a bit end to end with chances for both teams. It’s so close on 20 from Ramirez but somehow PTJ keeps it out. The Reds are defending well but the Chels are starting to dominate. Cuthbert is everywhere & is fouled by Bizet after a corner. It’s a pen to the Blues which is eventually confirmed by VAR. It’s fun watching the spidercam hovering above the groups of players like it’s trying to eavesdrop. Sandy takes the spotkick and makes it count in front of the Utd fans ⚽. 1-0. There are 5 minutes added but the Chelsea confidence is up and the Reds are chasing shadows. Advantages Chelsea at the break.

A change for the Reds as Tooney replaces Millie Turner with Jansen dropping back into defence. They get an early chance as the ball in from Bizet finds the head of Terri but Hannah makes an easy catch. It’s a good start for the Reds. The first yellow card goes to Galton for a choke hold on Lucy. Terri hits on the break but Girma has the pace that has been missing at the back when holding a high line. Toone forces a better save from Hannah. Clinton is the next to get a yellow card for bringing down Erin. It’s soon reciprocated as Erin is booked for a foul on Grace. Leah Galton goes down in a tussle with Lucy. Play goes on as Lucy flags for it to stop. The ref eventually notices and gets thanked with a chorus of “you’re not fit to referee”. We beg to differ. She has let it flow without it getting too niggley. Kat Macario comes on to Gabby George puts in a great cross and Erin puts it just wide of her own net. Macario’s first shot is miles wide. Another Red change and it’s another defender replacing an attacker as Mannion is replaced by Malard. It’s Gabby George booked next for poleaxing Aggie. No regrets there. The Blues are starting to control again. with some nice attacking moves. Sandy is in the middle of it all. Aggie makes way for youngster Weike Kaptein. The Reds haven’t given up and are still looking for an equaliser but they are starting to tire from chasing the ball. Ten to play and it’s time for supersub Rachel Williams who replaces Bizet. Kat Marario makes it 2 on 85 as she heads home a Baltimore freekick ⚽.  2-0. It feels like job done now and the crowd can feel it. There are fans heading for the exits 🏃🏼‍♀️. Not in the Blue end, that is bouncing. It’s too big a hill to climb for the Reds now. They might get 1 back but 2 now is not going to happen. Getting 1 back would make it tense now though. It’s 10 minutes added on. Will we see the important 3rd goal? We do see it and it’s Sandy Baltimore from close range on 90+1 ⚽. Nine miserable minutes for the Reds now. The rate of exodus increases🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️. Some late changes as Baltimore, Bronze and Cuthbert are subbed off to great applause. JRK, Guru and Nusken are the replacements. The Reds defence are in for a torrid few minutes but they hang on and it stays 3-0. It’s time for a party in the Blue end 🥳. The other end have mostly sat tight and are backing their club despite the loss. Blue is certainly the colour today. The medals 🥇🥈 are handed out, another cup is raised 🏆 and the party starts. Invincible? Up to everyone else to prove otherwise.

That was a very Chelsea performance. It took a little while to get a grip on the game but after that it never really looked in doubt. Erin was causing so much grief for the Reds that the penalty was inevitable. Sandy was unstoppable with 2 goals and an assist. The attendance was a bit lower than last year at 74,412. There were a good few empty seats around. Maybe bought by hopeful Arsenal fans thinking they would make the final 😶. The Blues formation change helped be more aggressive out wide in possession. Chels couldn’t cope with Utd initially but the Reds will regret not making it count when they had the best of the possession. Would have starting with Toone have given them a better chance of an early goal? Maybe. Planning to stay in the game is never a smart move against such a good team. The Reds needed maximum aggression from the off. This season has been a fantastic start for Sonia in her “transition” season. Other teams are going to need to step up if the Blues are not going to run away with it again. The big prize still eludes them though. It would be great if Arsenal could do the job against Barca in Lisbon. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼.  That's it. Another domestic season comes to an end. A fitting end today with a Blue treble confirmed. Just the Lionesses 🦁 to go now before the summer break.

POTM: goes to Sandy Baltimore 🏅. It was a real breakthrough game to show us how world class she really is. Two goals and an assist for the third. Fantastic performance. Well earned.

Ref: Despite the protests and the abuse from the Man Utd fans, she had a good game. No VAR intervention required as she got it just right. It was fairly physical but she only intervened when needed. Congrats. Hope we see more of you in the WSL.

The Scran’O’meter loves a ‘Spoons’ breakfast but was disappointed by the decision not to purchase Pick N mix.

Basil watch: He was at the top of the steps. Later on, he was in the Chelsea stand behind the goal and up and down the aisles.

Bottles tops were confiscated along with the bottle and the contents 😡. You can only take in empty bottles.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

We're a long way up

It's final day

Winners making a mess

Pre match show from Oli

Met Basil outside

Lucia In The Sky With Diamonds

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium

The Red Devils 👿return to Brent on a very warm day to try to heal the hurt of last year's defeat to Chelsea. This time the opponents are Tottenham so there will be a new name on the cup whatever happens. On the road here the Devils beat Chelsea and Brighton 😠, and Everton. Spurs beat Man City and Leicester. Both clubs have full squads except poor Grace Clinton who is on loan from Man Utd to Tottenham so can't play. The Reds back line consists Mary, Hannah Blundell, Mille Turner, Maya and Jayde Riviere. Captain Katie "eyelashes" Zelem is in the 6 with Lisa Naalsund in the 8 and Toooney in the 10. Lucia Garcia is on the right, Rachel Williams in the centre and Leah Galton on the left. A good mix of homegrown and imported talent on show. The Spurs side has a few names we know with Ashley Neville at right back, ex-red Martha Thomas up front with Captain Bethany England and emerging talent Jess Nas. There are fantastic fireworks, big flags and a dance off between the mascots that was won by the Cockerel. Expecting it to be a tight and nervous game as neither side will want to lose.

The Reds kick-off and are setting the early standards with Maya going literally head-to-head with Martha Thomas and leaving around the ground. There will be no quarter given today. In the second minute and Leah Galton forces a good save from Becky Spencer. Rachel Williams heads the resulting corner over the bar. They go close again with another corner on 12 as Rachel Williams heads over again. It's mostly one way traffic and another Reds corner sees Lucia Garcia's on-target header blocked on the goal line. Spurs are struggling to get any decent time on the ball. The red pressure is maintained and the fourth corner sees Millie Turner's header cleared off the line by Martha Thomas on 35. Toone gets a good chance on 38 from inside the box but she whips it just wide spurs. Spurs still struggling to keep hold of the ball as the Reds are pressing so high up. Beth England and Jess Naz upfront barely getting near the ball as Spurs best chance so far breaks down. The Red breaks and Ella Toone picks up the ball on the halfway line. She runs on unchallenged to just outside the box and then fires a rocket 🚀 into the top corner of the net on 45 + 3 . Tooooooooooone. What a goal. It's advantage Reds as whistle goes for the break.

There are no changes at the break other than the switch of Jess Nas from right to left wing. Leah Galton only lasts a few minutes and she has to go off as a result of having taken a knock in the early minutes of the game. On comes Lyon and France striker Malard. A deep free kick finds the head of Rachel Williams, who, finally, finds the net on 54. Spurs respond but Beth England blasts her shot way over the bar. Spurs passing round the defence goes horribly wrong as Becky Spencer's pass goes straight to Lucia inside the box. She doesn't need to be asked twice and makes no mistake on 73. nailed to the red devils change up front now, with Paris on, for Rachel Williams. A well-earned rest for the veteran striker entertained, can't make it for. Offer a good build up on 60s. 2 Spurs get their best chance on 66, when Beth hit as great cross onto the crossbar. Malard nearly gets on the score sheet on 72 but it's well saved. It's end to end for a while, the changes take effect. A Malard cross ends up at the feet of Garcia and she smashes it home for her brace on 74. Malard is starting to own the left-wing. Garcia is replaced by Geyse so no, hattrick for Lucia today. Tooney is replaced by Miyazawa, who is a bit more defensive. Riviera, is replaced by Republic of Ireland international Aoife Mannion. United are running Spurs ragged. Any attempt to play out from the back is punished by the high press and they are struggling to get back into the game. Playing direct gets more joy for them. Spurs get their first corner as their fans are starting to leave.  We can see you sneaking out.  At least they don't have far to go. The corner comes to nothing and the red tide rises again. Hannah Blundell gets the first yellow card of the game on 90 + 2. With a 4 goal lead well into injury time, that is real commitment to the cause. The Reds run the clock down with defensive possession rather than the corner flag at the other end. A clear win and silverware for the Red Devils they celebrate on the pitch. Leah Galton gets a piggy back from Rachel Williams as she's now on crutches. Well played the Reds, there was only ever going to be one winner after that goal from Tooney.

What a great game that was. Having seat in the gods helped with a great view of the play. The first goal being so good set the scene for things to come. Block 551 gives a great view of the pitch without being in the vertigo/nosebleed regions. The celebrations afterwards were good to watch, felt for Spurs a bit but that was United last year so is good progress for them when the hurt has subsided a bit. United were just too good for Spurs today, from the defence, the midfield and the quality and composure in front of goal. Their passing and movement was too much for spurs and a great mix up of patient build up and running onto long balls. Spurs looked a bit wobbly at the back too. There are times to play out from the back like you did in training all week and times to clear your lines when under pressure. The third goal was a time to hoof it. Bethany England deserved a goal for her efforts and was unlucky she hit the bar. Man Utd haven't had the best season but today looked like a statement that they are back in business. They have one game left in the WSL and that's a big title deciding game against Chelsea at Old Trafford. One to watch.

POTM: Tough call between a few honourable mentions. Ella Toone has had her best season but had a great game today and what a goal. Rachel Williams doing what she does, and everyone else really but award today goes to Lucia Garcia for her brace of goals to put the tie out of reach and we love watching her dancing feet as she runs with the ball.

The ref did very well and was hardly noticeable.

The Scran'o'meter missed the game as it stayed in the Spoons 🥄on Victoria Station and don't blame it for the value and quality of the food 🍳🌭🍄🍟🍅☕.

One game to go this season and it's a big one. Watch this space👀.✈

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Footie under the Arch💖

Pre-kickoff Fireworks 

Busy down Olympic Way

It's all over

Our Wembley hero -Chloe Kelly

Day out on the train

Warm in Brent