Matthew Appleby was at the Leigh Sports Village to capture the best of the action as Manchester United took on Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup Semi-Final yesterday (16/4/23).
Above: Manchester United celebrate after their dramatic win over Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday that took them to Wembley for the first time. Photo: Matthew Appleby.
Manchester United 3-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
Rachel Williams’ goal one minute from the end of normal time sealed Manchester United’s dramatic victory in the FA Cup Semi-Final yesterday.
But Marc Skinner’s team had to do it the hard way as Brighton produced a superb performance to belie their status as WSL strugglers, and it was the visitors who hit the front after Mary Earps could only help Veatriki Sarri’s shot into her own net.
Leah Galton levelled within two minutes of the second-half opening before United’s Lionesses star Alessia Russo put the Red Devils ahead. However, Brighton wouldn’t lie down, and within four minutes Danielle Carter had them level. Then came Williams at the death to earn United their first shot at a major trophy at Wembley Stadium against Aston Villa or Chelsea on 14th May.
Matthew Appleby’s Photo Gallery:
Teams: MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps, Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell, Ladd, Zelem, Galton, Garcia, Toone, Russo. Substitutes used: Thomas (for Garcia 61′), Williams (for Russo 78′), Mannion (for Galton 90+1′).
Scorers: Galton 47′, Russo 71′, Williams 89′.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (4-2-3-1): Williams, Fox, Kullberg, Morse, Pattinson, Sarri, Bance, Terland, Olme, Robinson, Lee. Substitutes used: Connolly (for Terland 58′), Green (for Sarri 59′), Carter (for Bance 59′), Visalli (for Robinson 90′).
Scorers: Earps OG 36′, Carter 75′.
Referee: Kirsty Dowle.
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