Kiko Seike scored twice as Brighton & Hove Albion Women ended a four-match winless run with a dominant 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic. The result lifts the Seagulls after a difficult period that had seen them take just one point from their previous three WSL fixtures.
Cassandra Korhonen gave Charlton a shock lead after just three minutes. Brighton responded with a sustained spell of pressure and Seike levelled the score midway through the first half. Francesca Kirby then put the hosts ahead in first-half stoppage time, converting a cross from M. Symonds.
Seike added her second goal nine minutes after the restart to make it 3-1. Late strikes from Symonds and Gabrielle George, assisted by substitutes Marisa Olislagers and C. Hayes respectively, completed the emphatic scoreline. The performance was underpinned by overwhelming statistics, with Brighton enjoying 75% possession and registering 25 shots to Charlton's three.
Manager's reaction
Manager Karen Hills acknowledged the positive result but stressed the need for consistency. "We need to be accountable," Hills said in her post-match interview.
The win moves Brighton up the table and provides a timely confidence boost ahead of a tough away fixture against Manchester City on 18 October. Seike's brace takes her tally to three goals for the season, making her the team's top scorer.
