This game went through so many highs and lows that at one stage I thought I was at Alton Towers. I wasn’t of course, I was glued to the action taking place at Ashton Gate as the Albion took on Bristol City in a game which would have major ramifications for both winner and loser. Sometimes a quote unquote ‘relegation six-pointer’ can be a hackneyed cliche to drum up attention for a dreary game between two of the worst teams in the league. Well, say what you want about the strength of each squad, it was anything but dreary.

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The first fifteen minutes or so unfolded in relatively familiar fashion, both sides setting out their stall as to how they wanted to play. Brighton seemed content to hold possession and work through the defensive lines, whilst Bristol City looked to counter attack at every opportunity.

Then the goalscoring began. In the 20th minute a well-taken corner into the six-yard box was headed on by Guro Bergsvand. Her effort would have gone just wide, but Elisabeth Terland was on hand to tap the ball into the net at the back post. We’ve long said the Albion should be more of a threat from set-pieces and this was a demonstration that we do have aerial ability in the team and players who are alive to second balls, rebounds etc.

Speaking of rebounds, Brighton’s second goal was a mixture of both desire and fortune. The ball was kept alive after almost going out for a goal kick, and clipped into the box by Veatriki Sarri. The Robins’ defence seemed static and Pauline Bremer nipped in ahead of the defender on the edge of the penalty area to drive in a shot which cannonned off the post. It may be anecdotal, but we started the day in 11th, I don’t feel like we’ve had a lot of ‘luck’ this season – until now. The rebound struck the upright and fell back to the onrushing Bremer, the only player with the foresight to follow the ball in, and she got in front of yet another defender to prod the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net.

2-0 up in the 24th minute, this was going to be easy right? Wrong. City had several chances before half-time to close the gap as Brighton naturally began to sit deeper. Fortunately the combination of a last ditch block here, a Sophie Baggaley save there, and some profligacy in front of goal by the home team, meant the Seagulls headed into the break with their lead intact. The next goal, and believe me one or several were coming, was going to be vitally important.

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Cometh the second-half, cometh the second-half curse. Albion conceded a free kick on the edge of the box in the 47th minute and former Seagull Megan Connolly stepped forward. It seemed too obvious – surely not. Then in the blink of an eye the ball was up and over the wall arrowing into the top right hand corner. An excellent dead ball finish, and one that likely had many fans wishing she was back in blue and white stripes.

2-1 and with Bristol City gaining momentum, the atmosphere began to get a little tense. Never fear though, there’s a reason the Robins sit at the foot of the table and it was demonstrated just seven minutes later. Another corner was sent in by the Albion and although it didn’t directly lead to a chance, the ball wasn’t fully cleared. After bouncing around the box and several swings and misses, it fell nicely to Terland who drove it through the crowd and past the despairing dive of Olivia Clark.

It got even better. Brighton found some space down the left-hand side after a quickly taken corner in 64th minute and Vicky Losada put another good cross into the box. Showing great awareness Tatiana Pinto was able to head the ball behind her at such an angle that the onrushing keeper could only watch as it was diverted into the net. Pinto’s emotional celebration in memory of her former Sporting CP teammate Filipa Mandeiro who passed recently at the age of just 36 was a fitting tribute to a player taken far too soon.

4-1 up and just 25 minutes to go, aaaand breathe. Right? Wrong. In the 70th minute Bristol City floated a corner towards the back post where Brooke Aspin was given far too much time and space to nod home City’s second from close range. Another second-half goal, another set piece, same old issues rearing their ugly head. It got worse. Within three minutes it was 4-3. A loose ball in the defensive third allowed the Robins to get in behind with the Albion defence all at sea. Ffion Morgan played the ball across to Amalie Thestrup and she didn’t need a second invitation to tuck a composed finish into the back of the net. A goal from nothing, caused simply by a lack of concentration and ability to recover.

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Bristol City had to push forward, at the very least a draw would keep Brighton within reach in the WSL, a loss and it would be very difficult to avoid relegation – particularly with their remaining fixture list. This gung-ho outlook could only have two outcomes, either City were going to bring it all the way back, or they were going to be counter attacked and give up goals on the back end. Fortunately for the Albion *spoiler alert* it was the latter.

For the next fifteen minutes or so, the score remained locked at 4-3. Neither the players nor the fans blinked. Finally, with mere seconds left of normal time, Bremer made an excellent run down the right wing and carried the ball into the box. She put in a pinpoint low cross towards the near post where Madison Haley was on hand to slot home for her first WSL goal.

The Albion weren’t done there though, they weren’t leaving anything to chance, and with City running on fumes they took advantage. Two minutes into added time Robbo got free down the right-hand side this time and as she crossed the threshold into the box Megan Connolly made contact with her from behind and the referee pointed to the spot. Losada stepped up and the keeper went the right way, but it was too far into the corner to keep out.

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Finally Robbo capped off an excellent performance with a goal of her own. Lee Guem-min, who had come on as a substitute, played an excellent through ball to her with acres of space to run into. The keeper came out, got nowhere near it and our very own lioness calmly took it in stride and tucked it into the open net with her left foot. 7-3, now we could finally exhale.

Overall it was an excellent display by Brighton and several players had their best games of the season in my opinion – Robinson, Pinto, and Losada to name a few. We just cannot afford to have these mad periods during games though where tactics and concentration go out of the window – this one very nearly cost us big time. Credit Bristol City they never gave up, they tried so hard for so long, but they just couldn’t sustain the momentum at the end. Albion were certainly the better team though and in a rarity this season, a good team performance was rewarded with all three points.

Notes

• Katie Robinson looked a different player in this game once the Albion got her into space. With Pauline Bremer drifting over to the right-hand side and drawing defenders away, she became her menacing self going inside, outside, and even swapping wings from time to time. A confident Robbo is a dangerous Robbo.
• Whilst Julia Zigiotti Olme played the defensive pivot well for the most part, dropping in between defenders at times to bring the ball forward, Tatiana Pinto was excellent in an attacking pivot role. So often all three phases have been disjointed this season, but today there were clear links between the defence, the midfield and the attack.
• I touched on it in the recap, but three goals conceded in the second half and two more from set pieces. Something has to change to get this monkey off our back. That’s now 33 total goals against, 8 before half-time and 25 after. That’s unsustainable and points to concerns that need addressing long-term. Brighton now also lead the league in goals conceded from set pieces.
• Credit to the referee and the assistants, no issues with 99.9% of the decisions today and that is worthy of praise.
• The away support for the Albion at the game was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who travelled to the game and gave it socks on our behalf.

The SheGulls Podcast will be out Tuesday where we’ll expand on the performance and cover a few other topics at the same time. Have a great week everyone!