‘We see it as an opportunity’ – Brighton keen to go again against Reading says Powell | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Hope Powell says that her side are eager to get back on the pitch after last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal.

The Seagulls went down 4-0 to The Gunners in Boreham Wood after having Emma Kullberg sent off early on in the match.

This weekend brings a fixture against Reading at The Amex Stadium. Both clubs have been competing on similar levels in the Barclays Women’s Super League in recent seasons and Brighton & Hove Albion boss Powell says that her side see the game as a real opportunity to get up their campaign and running.

“We see it as an opportunity, we are both on a level footing in terms of the first game of the season,” Powell said. “We see it as an opportunity, I am sure that they will see it as an opportunity as well.

“It is going to be a very tough game but we expect that. The girls are keen to go again.”

Both Brighton & Hove Albion and Reading will have similar aspirations this season and Powell believes that it could be very close on the pitch this weekend.

She said “We recognise that it is probably going to be a closer contest than the one against Arsenal. Since we have been in the WSL, we have been near each other in the league standings.

“I am expecting it to be a tough contest for both teams, a close contest and I think this is where both teams will want to try and pick up points.

“They’ve lost some players but they have also gained some, it’s about how quickly those new players bed in. For them, they’ll want those players to add value like we do with the players that we have brought in. I just expect it to be a close contest.”

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Reading kicks-off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.