Galton’s goal extends United’s run but condemns Albion to defeat
Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League.
Leah Galton scored the only goal of the game to separate the two sides.
The win gives the Red Devils a three-point gap over rivals Manchester City in the race for the final Champions League spot although their neighbours have a game in hand.
The hosts had a bright opening start and 14 minutes in Ella Toone had a golden chance when she was through on goal after a ball over the top but her effort was blocked.
The hosts had a shout for a penalty shortly before half time when Victoria Williams appeared to bring a United forward down but the appeals were waved away by the referee.
United finally took the lead on 69 minutes when Jackie Groenen played an excellent through ball to Galton on the left and she slotted the ball past Katie Startup in the bottom-right corner.
Marc Skinner’s side almost doubled their lead on 82 minutes when Martha Thomas was on the receiving end of a good ball forward but her strike was pushed onto the post by Startup.
Thomas had another effort parried on 90 minutes after a good ball in from Ella Toone and Williams then cleared off the line.
United held on despite a late spell of pressure, with a corner badly defended but eventually cleared away and Kayleigh Green’s header well saved by Mary Earps in the final minute of added time.
On Brighton, Man United
boss Marc Skinner said: “It’s a game playing model.
“They do have really attacking players. I was slightly surprised about the four forwards on the bench but I get it.
“Hope is always justified in what she does. She frustrated us obviously and then they were going to hit us on the counter-attack by bringing their forwards up late. Hope has a clear way in why she wanted to do that and it almost worked so I’ve got nothing but credit for her too.”
Brighton & Hove Albion (4-4-1-1): Katie Startup; Maya
Le Tissier, Danique Kerkdijk, Victoria Williams, Emma Kullberg; Emma Koivisto, Aileen Whelan, Julia Zigiotti, Felicity Gibbons; Lee GeumMin; Emily Simpkins.
Substitutes: Megan Connolly for Kullberg 45’, Libby Bance for Simpkins 53’, Maisie Symonds for Wheelan 74’,
Kayleigh Green for GeumMin 74’, Ellie Brazil for Kerkdijk 87’ Referee: Abigail Byrne Attendance: 1,524 n To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com