Paula Howells runs with the ball
ALBION 0KEYNSHAM 1
Stowell 5
Albion women lost their fifth league game of the season, as they went down to Keynsham Town.
Rachel Stowell’s fifth-minute strike was enough for the Somerset side to leave Withdean with all three points.
Stowell ended a slick passing move with a cool finish past Seagulls keeper Toni-Anne Wayne, in what proved to be the decisive goal of the game.
Albion were mainly restricted to long-range efforts for the remainder of the first-half, as Kirsty Barton and Charlotte Young saw their strikes go wide.
The best chance of the half fell to Rebecca Merritt, who latched onto Wayne’s clearance up the pitch but fired wide from inside the box.
Barton then came close with another strike from distance moments later, as keeper Gwyn West made a fingertip save to deny the Albion midfielder.
But the Somerset side almost netted a second goal moments later, with Yasmin Poole having to be alert to clear Stowell’s shot off the line.
Olivera Markovic had another chance to double their advantage, but Wayne made herself big to keep the deficit at one.
The Seagulls were then dealt a blow just before the interval, when Charlotte Owen was forced off injured after landing awkwardly and was replaced by Rosie Kmita.
Keynsham had further chances to double their lead after half-time as Wayne made a superb save from Aimee Clark’s free-kick, before Hajrija Sabic headed over the bar from Leanne Lapham’s corner.
Rebecca Merritt had a chance to level the scores for Albion, but she shot over the bar from distance after meeting Rosie Kmita’s pass.
Amy Green and Claire Capon then linked up well down the right-hand side to set up a chance for Paula Howells, but the resulting through-ball was collected by West.
Howells created an opportunity for herself with some neat footwork on the edge of the area, only for her effort to be saved by West.
Keynsham still carried a threat going forward and had a chance to wrap up the game after a free-flowing move, but Rafaela Silva shot straight at Wayne after being left unmarked in the six-yard box.
Albion tried to force the issue in the closing stages when Barton’s free-kick was almost spilled by West, but the danger was cleared and the Somerset side held on for the win.
Albion: Wayne (GK); Capon, Waine, Thomspon-Agbro (Green 45); Carter (Chandler 80), Young, Barton, Poole; Owen (Rosie Kmita 40), Merritt, Howells. Sub not used: Sole (GK).
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