United Women lose ground at top of the table

MANCHESTER United Women’s hopes of reaching the Champions League for the first time in their history hang in the balance following a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.

Inessa Kaagman’s first-half penalty was the difference in Crawley as the hosts responded to their heavy defeat against Everton with a resolute performance.

United, locked in a two-horse tussle with Arsenal for the final European slot, had their moments but were hampered on Sunday by wayward finishing and an inspired Megan Walsh.

On a pleasant afternoon, the hosts looked the sharper side in the opening stages, evidently keen to play high up the field in order to negate the attacking threat of Casey Stoney’s side.

And they got their reward mid-way through the half when a deep free-kick landed right on top of Maria Thorisdottir, who proceeded to raise her arms and connect with the ball, leaving referee Abigail Byrne no choice but to point to the spot.

Kaagman’s powerfully-hit strike flew past Mary Earps to give Brighton the lead but United were always in the contest.

Millie Turner blasted a shot just over when Brighton failed to clear from a corner and the same player was inches away with a superb header from Lucy Staniforth’s delivery.

Despite losing Lauren James to injury, there was one more glorious opportunity for the Reds.

Captain Katie Zelem combined intelligently with Ella Toone to release Jess Sigsworth, who should have scored but was thwarted by an outstanding save from Walsh, high to her right.

Kirsty Hanson had a strong shout for a penalty turned down as the clock wound down but Brighton hung on to claim the points and strengthen their position in the division’s top six.

United manager Casey Stoney said: “We had chances. It’s a bit of a tale of our season really – we have chances, we don’t take them and then give away a silly penalty.

“It put us on the back foot when we don’t need to be. You score a goal against a team like this and you build in confidence, and you grow into it. We knew they’d be organised and work hard and the minute you go one nil down, you cause yourself problems.

“We have to score from the header and the one on one, but we don’t. You probably then walk away with three points and say we were not at our best, and it was not a surface we could play our game on.

“We knew we had to adapt and play ugly, but they did ugly better than we did.

“When you get your chances, you have to take them. I thought it (the challenge on Kirsty Hanson) was a penalty, personally.”

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