At a glance
- Late heartache for Albion as they concede twice late on
- Madison Haley’s early second half goal had given home side lead
- Brighton lose seven-game unbeaten streak as they look ahead to FA Cup final
Brighton failed to secure consecutive top half WSL finishes, conceding twice late on in a 2-1 defeat to Spurs in front of almost 7,000 fans at the Amex Stadium.
Toko Koga scored a sensational winner in additional time in the second half to complete the comeback, as Albion are forced to settle for a seventh place finish on the final day.
Madison Haley’s close range finish at the start of the second half looked set to extend Albion’s unbeaten streak in their final game before the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
However, two late strikes from Olivia Holdt and Koga meant the Seagulls missed the chance to record their highest WSL points tally, ending the season on 26 points.
Read more: ‘We want to be historic’ – Brighton Women ready to shake up the old order at Wembley
Spurs sucker punch as Brighton fail to make most of strong second half start
The second half started in perfect fashion for the home side. Lize Kop saved Kiko Seike’s initial shot, but the ball fell to Haley, who couldn’t miss from a couple of yards out.
This continued the American’s good form, with the midfielder now netting five times in her last six appearances.
Brighton continued to put pressure on the Spurs goal, with Maisie Symonds’ long-range effort being well held by Lize Kop, but they were soon pegged back.
Symonds, making her 100th appearance for the club, was at fault for Spurs’ equaliser. The captain failed to clear the ball inside her area, and Holdt was on hand to fire past the helpless Sophie Baggaley in goal.
Then, with both sides pushing for a winner, it was Spurs who claimed all three points in stoppage time.
Baggaley came out of her goal but could only find defender Koga with her clearance, who superbly found the open net from all of 35 yards.
Jubilation for the travelling Spurs fans, who had already seen their team secure their highest ever WSL finish, even before today’s victory.
Also read: Vidosic: “Took a step back and just watched” as His Side Reach Final
Sophie Baggaley with error in potential final Brighton appearance
Dario Vidosic made just one change in preparation for their Wembley visit in two weeks, with Baggaley starting her first WSL game since January.
And in a tight first half, it was Baggaley who produced a great save to keep the scores level going into the break.
Matilda Vinberg broke through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the Brighton shot-stopper read the Swede’s dink well and made the save.
The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away from Sussex after losing the number one slot to Nigerian international Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Spurs continued to have the better of the opportunities in the first 45, with Cathinka Tandberg diverting a poked shot wide of the goal.
Brighton lose momentum as they now look ahead to FA Cup final
London City Lionesses compounded Brighton’s misery on the final day by recording a late victory themselves that lifted them above Brighton into sixth position.
However, Brighton must dust themselves off ahead of the Wembley showdown against Manchester City in two weeks time.
Boss Dario Vidosic has now given his players two days off as full attention now turns to Albion’s first ever FA Cup final on Sunday 31st May.
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