On a chilly afternoon at The Amex, Brighton Women welcomed West Ham Women in a match that felt like a battle of two cities with football coursing through their veins. One club with a seaside spirit, the other with an East London edge.
The opening minutes were a slow burn, like waiting for the first drop in a Fatboy Slim set on Brighton Beach. Both teams were sizing each other up, cautious, probing. West Ham, looking to establish dominance early, sent Viviane Asseyi racing down the left wing. Asseyi is the kind of player that embodies everything about East London football—quick, fierce, and with a touch of flair. She had Brighton’s defence on edge, forcing Sophie Baggaley into some early saves. You could feel the tension building, like the moment before the pier ride plunges down into the sea.
Then, like the tide rolling in, Brighton began to find their rhythm. The crowd, a mix of locals and university students still clinging to their coffees, started to hum with anticipation. Enter Nikita Paris, the Seagulls’ star who plays with the kind of finesse that The Kooks would write songs about.
And then, the moment came. Brighton’s Weapon of Choice, Rachel McLauchlan too the lead for the Seagulls. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, she danced around two defenders before slotting the ball past Kinga Szemik.
Seiko with what was thought to be a killer blow in the 60th minute, with the match finely balanced, Brighton thought they found their winner. It wasn’t a moment of sheer individual brilliance, but it was pure Brighton—a team effort, a piece of football that embodied the unity and spirit of the city itself.
The Iron Lady, Katrina Gorry fought her very hardest and managed to bring it back not once but twice. Just like The Streets, she quite literally managed to Turn the Page. Gorry might be from Down Under, but she was Iron Born.
Like a Flock of Seagulls, Brighton ambushed West Ham immediately on the counter and it was Fran Kirby who ultimately decided the game in the 82nd minute. This was a testament to Kirby’s performance and determination throughout her career and living proof that She Moves in Her Own Way.
As the final whistle blew, the Seagulls had secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory, and the celebrations began. Much like the city itself, a place where creativity thrives and ambition never seems to sleep, this team is building something special.
The Seagulls are soaring, and as the old saying goes, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to ride them.” And Brighton, it seems, are riding high.
