2020–21 Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. season

The 2020–21 Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. season was the club's 30th season in existence and their third in the FA Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid. Along with competing in the WSL, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion
2020–21 season
ChairmanTony Bloom
ManagerHope Powell
StadiumBroadfield Stadium, Crawley
WSL6th
FA CupSemi-final
League CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Inessa Kaagman (8)
All: Inessa Kaagman (9)

Summary

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On 6 September, Brighton played Birmingham in their opening match of the season in what was their first league match in 6 months. The Seagulls won 2–0 at home with goals from Megan Connolly and Inessa Kaagman.[1] On 27 September, Brighton played Birmingham again, this time coming in the quarter-final of the 2019–20 FA Cup in which they lost on penalties. The cup overlapped the new season due to the postponements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Brighton's first defeat of the campaign came on the 4 October in their third league game, a 3–0 away loss against Manchester United.[3] In the 2–2 away draw at Everton on 18 October, Kayleigh Green was seen to be shown two yellow cards by referee Lucy Oliver but was not sent off, baffling Toffees manager Willie Kirk.[4][5]

Brighton reached the semi-final of the 2020–21 FA Cup where they were defeated 3–0 away at Arsenal on 31 October 2021, after Coronavirus delayed the tournament into the next season.[6]

Squad

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As of 5 February 2021.[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ENG Megan Walsh
2 DF   ENG Bethan Roe
3 DF   ENG Felicity Gibbons
4 DF   ENG Danielle Bowman (captain)
5 DF   NED Danique Kerkdijk
6 DF   ENG Maya Le Tissier
7 FW   ENG Aileen Whelan
8 MF   IRL Megan Connolly
9 FW   KOR Lee Geum-min (on loan from Manchester City)
10 MF   NED Inessa Kaagman
11 MF   FIN Nora Heroum
12 DF   FIN Emma Koivisto
13 DF   NZL Rebekah Stott
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW   WAL Kayleigh Green
16 FW   ENG Ellie Brazil
19 MF   ENG Emily Simpkins
20 DF   ENG Victoria Williams
21 MF   ENG Jodie Brett
22 MF   ENG Katie Robinson
23 FW   IRL Rianna Jarrett
24 MF   ENG Maisie Symonds
25 GK   NOR Cecilie Fiskerstrand
26 MF   ENG Hollie Olding
29 FW   ENG Faith Nokuthula
32 MF   ENG Libby Bance

Pre-season

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7 August 2020 Friendly Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Leicester City Burton upon Trent
Report Stadium: St George's Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
13 August 2020 Friendly Arsenal Brighton & Hove Albion London Colney
Report Stadium: Arsenal Training Centre
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released
16 August 2020 Friendly Liverpool Brighton & Hove Albion Birkenhead
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Note: No official scoreline released

FA Women's Super League

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Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
22 8 3 11 21 41  −20 27 5 0 6 11 24  −13 3 3 5 10 17  −7

Last updated: 9 May 2021.
Source: FA WSL

Results by matchday

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Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHHAHHAAH
ResultWDLLDLWLLLDLLWWWWLWLLW
Position3577888899999877666676
Source: [citation needed]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

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6 September 2020 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Birmingham City Crawley
14:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Rob Whitton
13 September 2020 2 Manchester City 0–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Manchester
14:00 Report
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Helen Conley
4 October 2020 3 Manchester United 3–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Leigh
12:00
Report
Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Elliot Swallow
11 October 2020 4 Brighton & Hove Albion 0–5 Arsenal Crawley
12:30 Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
18 October 2020 5 Everton 2–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Liverpool
13:00
Report
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver
8 November 2020 6 Brighton & Hove Albion 0–2 Aston Villa Crawley
14:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Stacey Pearson
15 November 2020 7 West Ham United 0–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Dagenham
12:30 Report
Stadium: Victoria Road
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Abigail Byrne
6 December 2020 8 Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Canons Park
14:00
Report
Stadium: The Hive
13 December 2020 9 Brighton & Hove Albion 0–1 Chelsea Crawley
14:00 Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 457
Referee: Lisa Benn
20 December 2020 10 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–3 Reading Crawley
14:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Abigail Byrne
10 January 2021 Bristol City P–P Brighton & Hove Albion Bath
14:00 Stadium: Twerton Park
Note: Postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases in Brighton squad[8]
17 January 2021 11 Birmingham City 0–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Solihull
14:00 Report Kerkdijk   64' Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Helen Conley
24 January 2021 12 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–7 Manchester City Lancing
14:00
Report
Stadium: AMEX Elite Football Performance Centre
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lisa Benn
30 January 2021 13 Bristol City 3–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Bath
14:00
Report
Stadium: Twerton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver
Note: Rescheduled from 10 January 2021 following positive COVID-19 cases in Brighton squad.
7 February 2021 14 Chelsea 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Kingston upon Thames
14:00
Report
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Cristiana Hattersley
10 February 2021 15 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 West Ham United Crawley
19:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Isaac Searle
7 March 2021 16 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur Crawley
14:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Stacey Pearson
17 March 2021 17 Aston Villa 0–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Walsall
19:30
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Helen Conley
28 March 2021 18 Brighton & Hove Albion 0–5 Everton Crawley
12:30
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Cristiana Hattersley
4 April 2021 19 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Manchester United Crawley
14:00
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Abigail Byrne
25 April 2021 20 Arsenal 2–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Borehamwood
14:00
Report Stadium: Meadow Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lisa Benn
2 May 2021 21 Reading 3–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Reading
14:00
Report
  • Lee   44', 45'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
9 May 2021 22 Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 Bristol City Crawley
14:30
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Amy Fearns

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
4 Manchester United 22 15 2 5 44 20 +24 47
5 Everton 22 9 5 8 39 30 +9 32
6 Brighton & Hove Albion 22 8 3 11 21 41 −20 27
7 Reading 22 5 9 8 25 41 −16 24
8 Tottenham Hotspur 22 5 5 12 18 41 −23 20
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.

Women's FA Cup

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As a member of the top two tiers, Brighton will enter the FA Cup in the fourth round proper. Originally scheduled to take place on 31 January 2021, it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.[9][10] Due to the delay, the competition only reached the fifth round before the end of the season. It resumed at the quarter-final stage the following season on 29 September 2021.

18 April 2021 Fourth round Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Bristol City Crawley
14:00
Report Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
16 May 2021 Fifth round Brighton & Hove Albion 6–0 Huddersfield Town Crawley
12:00
Report Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
29 September 2021 Quarter-final Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Charlton Athletic Crawley
19:00 Gibbons   68' Report Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Referee: Emily Heaslip
31 October 2021 Semi-final Arsenal 3–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Borehamwood
16:45
Stadium: Meadow Park
Referee: Abigail Byrne

FA Women's League Cup

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7 October 2020 Group stage Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2
(2–4 p)
West Ham United Crawley
19:30
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Steven Hughes
Penalties
4 November 2020 Group stage Charlton Athletic C–C Brighton & Hove Albion Crayford
19:45 Stadium: The Oakwood
Note: Initially postponed following positive COVID-19 test on Brighton staff[11] Fixture was not fulfilled.
18 November 2020 Group stage Brighton & Hove Albion 0–2 Reading Crawley
19:30
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Ryan Atkin

Pos Team Pld W WPEN LPEN L GF GA GD Pts Qualification WHU REA BHA CHA
1 West Ham United 3 2 1 0 0 9 2 +7 8 Advanced to knock-out stage 3–0
2 Reading 3 2 0 0 1 6 3 +3 6 Possible knock-out stage based on ranking 4–0
3 Brighton & Hove Albion 2 0 0 1 1 2 4 −2 1 2–2 0–2
4 Charlton Athletic 2 0 0 0 2 0 8 −8 0 0–4 C–C[α]
Source: thefa.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
  1. ^ Match originally postponed following positive COVID-19 test by Brighton staff.[12] An independent tribunal determined the fixture would not be rescheduled as it would have no effect on qualifying.[13]

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
6 July 2020 GK   Katie Startup   Charlton Athletic [14]
13 July 2020 MF   Katie Robinson   Bristol City [15]
15 July 2020 MF   Nora Heroum   A.C. Milan [16]
17 July 2020 MF   Inessa Kaagman   Everton [17]
2 September 2020 DF   Rebekah Stott   Melbourne City [18]
5 February 2021 DF   Emma Koivisto   Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC [19]

Loans in

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Date Position Nationality Name From Until Ref.
24 July 2020 FW   Lee Geum-min   Manchester City End of season [20]
9 September 2020 FW   Denise O'Sullivan   North Carolina Courage 31 December 2020 [21]

Transfers out

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Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
3 June 2020 MF   Léa Le Garrec   FC Fleury 91 [22][23]
MF   Kate Natkiel   Crystal Palace [22][24]
MF   Amanda Nildén   Eskilstuna United [22][25]
GK   Sophie Harris   Watford [22][26]
DF   Fern Whelan Retired [22][27]
FW   Ini Umotong   Växjö DFF [22][28]
1 July 2020 DF   Matilde Lundorf   Juventus [29][30]

Loans out

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Date Position Nationality Name To Until Ref.
6 August 2020 GK   Laura Hartley   Lewes End of season [31]
7 August 2020 DF   Ellie Hack   Lewes End of season [32]
5 September 2020 DF   Laura Rafferty   Bristol City End of season [33]
6 September 2020 GK   Katie Startup   Charlton Athletic [34]
13 September 2020 DF   Bethan Roe   Charlton Athletic 16 January 2021 [35]
8 January 2021 MF   Kirsty Barton   Crystal Palace End of season [36]

Squad statistics

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Appearances

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As of 31 October 2021

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player Total FA WSL FA Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 GK   ENG Megan Walsh 17 0 15 0 2 0 0 0
25 GK   NOR Cecilie Fiskerstrand 10 0 7 0 1 0 2 0
40 GK   ENG Katie Startup 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Defenders
2 DF   ENG Bethan Roe 5 0 2+1 0 2 0 0 0
3 DF   ENG Felicity Gibbons 19 2 12+1 0 3+1 2 2 0
4 DF   ENG Danielle Bowman 15 0 12+1 0 0 0 2 0
5 DF   NED Danique Kerkdijk 25 2 16+3 0 4 2 2 0
6 DF   ENG Maya Le Tissier 27 1 22 1 3 0 2 0
12 DF   FIN Emma Koivisto 13 0 9 0 1+3 0 0 0
13 DF   NZL Rebekah Stott 7 0 5+2 0 0 0 0 0
20 DF   ENG Victoria Williams 20 0 15+2 0 1+1 0 1 0
Midfielders
8 MF   IRL Megan Connolly 19 3 14+1 2 3 0 1 1
10 MF   NED Inessa Kaagman 27 9 22 8 3 1 0+2 0
11 MF   FIN Nora Heroum 15 1 5+6 0 2 1 2 0
19 MF   ENG Emily Simpkins 18 0 7+7 0 2+1 0 1 0
21 MF   ENG Jodie Brett 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 MF   ENG Katie Robinson 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
24 MF   ENG Maisie Symonds 3 0 0+2 0 1 0 0 0
26 MF   ENG Hollie Olding 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
32 MF   ENG Libby Bance 13 0 1+9 0 2 0 0+1 0
Forwards
7 FW   ENG Aileen Whelan 26 4 22 4 2 0 1+1 0
9 FW   KOR Lee Geum-min 20 3 12+5 3 0+1 0 2 0
15 FW   WAL Kayleigh Green 21 0 13+3 0 2+1 0 1+1 0
16 FW   ENG Ellie Brazil 18 0 13+2 0 3 0 0 0
23 FW   IRL Rianna Jarrett 20 4 8+8 2 2 1 0+2 1
29 FW   ENG Faith Nokuthula 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Joined during 2021–22 season but competed in the postponed 2020–21 FA Cup:
11 FW   ENG Rinsola Babajide 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
18 FW   ENG Daniele Carter 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
32 MF   ENG Juliet Adebowale 1 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
DF   BEL Lea Cordier 1 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
Players away from the club on loan:
18 MF   ENG Kirsty Barton 5 0 1+2 0 0 0 2 0
Players who appeared for the club but left during the season:
12 FW   IRL Denise O'Sullivan 11 0 8+1 0 0 0 1+1 0

References

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  1. ^ "Women's Super League: Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Birmingham City – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Women's FA Cup: Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Birmingham City (2–4) – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Manchester United 3–0 Brighton & Hove Albion: Alessia Russo on target in routine victory – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Women's Super League: Everton 2–2 Brighton & Hove Albion – Willie Kirk baffled by card 'mix–up' – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  5. ^ "WSL Trending: Two yellow cards = no red? Watch bizarre card mix–up in WSL – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Women's FA Cup semi-final: Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 to set up final against Chelsea – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion - Women's Team". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Bristol City-Brighton off because of Covid". BBC Sport.
  9. ^ "The Women's FA Cup Season 2020–21 List of Exemptions" (PDF). thefa.com. The Football Association. 10 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Women's FA Cup to remain suspended during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports.
  11. ^ "Continental Cup tie postponed". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  12. ^ "Continental Cup tie postponed". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  13. ^ "FA Women's League Cup quarter-final draw date". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
  14. ^ "Startup signs up for Albion". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  15. ^ "Powell adds second new signing". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  16. ^ "Heroum joins from AC Milan". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  17. ^ "Albion go Dutch with latest signing". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  18. ^ "Albion sign New Zealand international". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  19. ^ "Brighton Women sign defender Koivisto". BBC Sport.
  20. ^ "Albion sign World Cup star". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  21. ^ Birkedal, Morgan (9 September 2020). "Denise O'Sullivan to Finish 2020 on Loan with Brighton & Hove Albion". North Carolina Courage.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Hope Powell pays tribute as Le Garrec returns to France". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  23. ^ "Léa Le Garrec s'engage !". FC Fleury 91 (in French).
  24. ^ "Palace Women secure Natkiel from Brighton & Hove Albion". www.cpfc.co.uk.
  25. ^ Alhag, Stefan (11 July 2020). "Eskilstuna United värvar Amanda Nildén". eskilstunaunited (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Official: Harris Signs For Golden Girls". www.watfordfc.com.
  27. ^ "Whelan retires with immediate effect". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  28. ^ "Umotong till Växjö DFF". OBOS Damallsvenskan (in Swedish).
  29. ^ "Lundorf to leave Albion". www.brightonandhovealbion.com.
  30. ^ "Matilde Lundorf è bianconera!". Juventus.com (in Italian).
  31. ^ "Brighton keeper joins the Rooks". www.lewesfc.com.
  32. ^ "England youth international added to Rooks' defensive line-up". www.lewesfc.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  33. ^ "Rafferty is a Robin". Bristol City.
  34. ^ "Startup returns to Charlton on loan". Chalrton Athletic twitter.
  35. ^ "Bethan Roe signs from Brighton". cafcwomen.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Kirsty Barton joins Palace Women from Brighton & Hove Albion". www.cpfc.co.uk.