Brighton could only claim a point in the Women’s League Cup as they were defeated 4-3 on penalties by Leicester at the Broadfield Stadium on Sunday.
After a lackluster 0-0 draw at full time, penalty misses from Michelle Agyemang and Maisie Symonds summed up a poor performance from the home side.
The Seagulls found it difficult to play out from the back and couldn’t handle a high press from a reinvigorated Leicester side
Rarely threatening during the match, defender Rachel McLauchlan’s attempt from range that fizzed narrowly wide was the most notable chance.
The Foxes started the better of the two sides, creating several chances in the game through attackers Missy Goodwin and Yuka Momiki, both terrorised the Brighton backline throughout the afternoon.
Goodwin saw an early twelfth minute attempt saved routinely by Brighton’s secondary goalkeeper Melina Loeck.
Loeck was in the right place again to stop Japan international Momiki’s thunderous strike from close range.
Momiki found herself unlucky again as her long-range effort rattled the crossbar in the 63rd minute.
Brighton looked to rejuvenate their performance in the second half, bringing on attacking players Nikita Parris and Jelena Cankovic.
Parris had scored the solitary goal in the previous meeting between both sides earlier in the season, but she couldn’t make the difference today.
A point gained means Brighton remain top of group D, one point ahead of Leicester in second place.
A home tie against Bristol City on December 11th is next, where a draw would qualify them for the knockout stage.
