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

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

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

7 August 2020 Friendly Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Leicester City Burton upon Trent
  • Kaagman
  • Gibbons
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

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
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

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

Results

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 021 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
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

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

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

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[lower-greek 1]
    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

    Transfers in

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Appearances

    As of 31 October 2021

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

    No. Pos Nat Player TotalFA WSLFA CupLeague Cup
    AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
    Goalkeepers
    1 GK  ENG Megan Walsh 1701502000
    25 GK  NOR Cecilie Fiskerstrand 100701020
    40 GK  ENG Katie Startup 10001000
    Defenders
    2 DF  ENG Bethan Roe 502+102000
    3 DF  ENG Felicity Gibbons 19212+103+1220
    4 DF  ENG Danielle Bowman 15012+100020
    5 DF  NED Danique Kerkdijk 25216+304220
    6 DF  ENG Maya Le Tissier 2712213020
    12 DF  FIN Emma Koivisto 130901+3000
    13 DF  NZL Rebekah Stott 705+200000
    20 DF  ENG Victoria Williams 20015+201+1010
    Midfielders
    8 MF  IRL Megan Connolly 19314+123011
    10 MF  NED Inessa Kaagman 279228310+20
    11 MF  FIN Nora Heroum 1515+602120
    19 MF  ENG Emily Simpkins 1807+702+1010
    21 MF  ENG Jodie Brett 00000000
    22 MF  ENG Katie Robinson 20101000
    24 MF  ENG Maisie Symonds 300+201000
    26 MF  ENG Hollie Olding 10001000
    32 MF  ENG Libby Bance 1301+90200+10
    Forwards
    7 FW  ENG Aileen Whelan 264224201+10
    9 FW  KOR Lee Geum-min 20312+530+1020
    15 FW  WAL Kayleigh Green 21013+302+101+10
    16 FW  ENG Ellie Brazil 18013+203000
    23 FW  IRL Rianna Jarrett 2048+82210+21
    29 FW  ENG Faith Nokuthula 00000000
    Joined during 2021–22 season but competed in the postponed 2020–21 FA Cup:
    11 FW  ENG Rinsola Babajide 10001000
    18 FW  ENG Daniele Carter 10001000
    32 MF  ENG Juliet Adebowale 10000+1000
    DF  BEL Lea Cordier 10000+1000
    Players away from the club on loan:
    18 MF  ENG Kirsty Barton 501+200020
    Players who appeared for the club but left during the season:
    12 FW  IRL Denise O'Sullivan 1108+10001+10

    References

    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. "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).
    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.
    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.
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