Blues Women denied at the death in Brighton draw

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Blues Women denied at the death in Brighton draw

Match Report: Birmingham City Women 2 - 2 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

2026-09-13T16:30+01:00

Birmingham City Women were denied a first victory since returning to The WSL as Brighton & Hove Albion struck deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

Goals from Océane Hurtré and Lily Crosthwaite had put Amy Merricks’ side in control on their return to B9, but Olivia Garcia halved the deficit before Kiko Seike struck with virtually the final kick of the game to rescue a point for the visitors.

The familiar sight of Blues’ aggressive press was evident from the opening exchanges, but it was Brighton who came closest to an early opener. From a corner, confusion ensued inside the box as several players from both sides ended up on the floor. The ball eventually fell to the edge of the area and the resulting effort rocketed into the net, but the referee had already awarded Blues a free-kick and the goal was ruled out.

Blues would strike first. Much like last weekend, the hard work of Hurtré paid dividends. The French forward won possession from the Brighton defence and drove into the box before firing into the bottom-left corner to open the scoring after eight minutes.

Brighton responded well and threatened on 13 minutes when a lofted ball into the box found Fran Kirby at the far post, but Sophie Baggaley stood firm to deny her former side an equaliser.

Momentum began to swing the visitors’ way, but another Baggaley save in the 21st minute kept Brighton at bay.

On 27 minutes, Blues thought they had doubled their advantage. Some neat passing in midfield released Rebecca McKenna, who looked to have sent Hurtré through. The French forward then found Lily Crosthwaite inside the box, who finished first time to seemingly open her account for the season. However, the assistant referee deemed Hurtré to have been offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.

Crosthwaite came close again six minutes later, forcing Chiamaka Nnadozie into a good save as the game entered the final ten minutes of the first half.

Hurtré was inches away from adding a second in the closing stages of the half. More creative play through the middle third opened up space for the forward, who initially shaped to play a ball through before instead trying an audacious effort from distance. Her strike sailed beyond Nnadozie but narrowly missed the top-right corner.

It brought a positive end to a hard-fought opening 45 minutes for Blues.

Wilma Leidhammar made a bright start to the second half after being introduced at the interval. The Swedish number 10 was immediately involved and had her first opportunity just two minutes after the restart. Leidhammar found herself in acres of space and took her shot early, but Nnadozie dealt with the effort well.

After the disappointment of seeing her first-half effort ruled out, Crosthwaite finally opened her account for the season on 51 minutes. Lisa Naalsund found Hurtré down the left, onside this time, and the forward delivered towards the far post, where Crosthwaite finished well to double Blues’ advantage.

Brighton responded with another threat from a set-piece as a floated free-kick was met by a header inside the box, but Baggaley was there again, tipping the ball over the bar.

The hosts remained resolute in defence, with Neve Herron stepping in to clear the danger on the hour mark as substitute Olivia Garcia began to make an impact for the visitors.

Hurtré was at the centre of another Blues opportunity on 66 minutes. She made a probing run down the left before delivering into the path of Leidhammar in front of goal, but the Swede was closely marshalled by two Brighton defenders and was unable to make contact.

Brighton pulled one back on 76 minutes through Garcia. Baggaley produced two consecutive saves as the visitors piled on the pressure, but the goalkeeper was unable to gather the final effort and Garcia pounced on the loose ball to reduce the deficit.

Blues continued to battle as they looked to see out the closing stages, but there was heartbreak at the death.

In the final seconds of added time, Brighton broke forward and Seike found space around the outside of the Blues defence before finishing to level the scores and deny the hosts all three points.

It was heartbreak for Blues, who came agonisingly close to securing a first victory since returning to The WSL.

Next up, Birmingham City travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea Women on Saturday afternoon.

Blues: Sophie Baggaley (GK), Marie Levasseur, Shannon Cooke (Rebecca Holloway, 83), Lee Geum-Min (C), Lisa Naalsund, Lily Crosthwaite, Rebecca McKenna, Océane Hurtré (Chancelle Effa Effa, 87), Asato Miyagawa (Chelsea Cornet, 89), Veatriki Sarri (Wilma Leidhammar, 45), Neve Herron.

Subs not used: Lucy Thomas (GK), Katie Startup (GK), Martha Harris, Jade Rastocle, Suzu Amano.

Brighton: Chiamaka Nnadozie (GK), Manuela Vanegas, Moeka Minami, Maisie Symonds (C), Madison Haley, Kiko Seike, Lia Wälti, Fran Kirby, Emilie Joramo (Olaug Tvedten, 58), Caitlin Hayes, Marisa Olislagers (Olivia Garcia, 58).

Subs not used: Melina Loeck (GK), Gabrielle George, Rebecca Rayner, Sophie Peskett, Charlize Rule, Emily Murphy, Taylor Warren.

Post-match reaction: Chelsea Women 2-0 Birmingham City Women