Albion Ladies won their first away match in the National Division with a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers and south coast rivals Southampton.
Within minutes of the start Brighton had a golden opportunity to open the scoring. The Saints keeper failed to cut out a cross and the loose ball fell to Brighton's new signing Jodie Baxter who shot wide. Southampton took the lead after 12 minutes when a harmless looking shot by Gemma Ritchie dipped over Tracey Smith into the net.
Brighton pressed hard for the equaliser but the home side were unlucky not to increase their lead when they hit the crossbar. Brighton equalised in the 28th minute with a splendid 25 yard drive from midielder Michelle Mangan.
After the break Brighton's defence, with Alison Read and Tracey Smith in superb form, repelled the Southampton attacks. And Albion snatched the winner in injury-time when Emma Mead leapt to head the ball home following a Natalie Birch corner kick which was headed on by Lisa Murray.
Contrasting fortunes for Brighton & Hove Women's Reserve team however, as they crashed to their first defeat of the season against Manchester City in the AXA Premier League Reserve Cup.
The preliminary round tie saw the northern side come out on top as 2-1 winners in a hard fought battle which required extra time to determine the winner. Brighton's goal resulted from a fumble by the Manchester keeper who turned the ball into her own net following a Holly Grogan cross and pressure from Carly Esperito. In the League, Brighton Reserves are currently unbeaten in four games and are second in the table.
Brighton Hove Albion U-15s played their second game of the season against Arundel Devils, and they made an excellent start with Sophie Perry netting in the fifth minute. Brighton dominated the game and some good passing which led to Kayleigh Norris getting her name on the score sheet. Emma Knight hit the back of the net twice, Claire Beveridge got one and Norris got her second of the game. BHA were 6-0 up at half-time. After the break Sophie Perry hit the target another three times before the Devils came back with two goals to make it 9-2.
Hastings Town Ladies threw away a lead as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat at home to Crowborough Athletic in the AXA FA Cup premliminary round.
Town took the lead after 19 minutes when Tina Wilson fed Tanya Roberts who lobbed the keeper from 25 yards. Three minutes later Laura Cheesman cleared off her own line to preserve her team's advantage.
Crowborough then hit the post twice before Roberts doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. But the visitors' lethal striker Tracey Chapman struck twice in the 68th and 70th minute to put Crowborough on level terms. Ellie Scott then got their winner eight minutes from time.
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