The anticipation is palpable for Brighton & Hove Albion's women's team as they prepare to face Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final this Sunday at 12:15 BST. For the dedicated supporters making the early-morning journey, the night before the big match "felt like Christmas Eve."
A bus departed from the Amex Stadium at 5:00 AM, carrying fans to the rugby league ground of St Helens in Merseyside—the venue for this crucial clash. Among them was Albion fan Charlie Little, who captured the mix of excitement and nerves perfectly: "Going to St Helens is all good, but we really want to go to Wembley. We don't want to lose."
Fellow supporter Sam Sleeman-Boss echoed the sentiment, adding, "I think we'll win, we're on a streak." Reflecting on the early start, Sleeman-Boss noted, "It felt like Christmas Eve yesterday. We had to go to bed early for the coach."
The stakes couldn't be higher: the winner earns a spot in the FA Cup final at Wembley, where they'll face either Chelsea or Manchester City. Little admitted the supporters are "absolutely terrified" about the outcome but remains hopeful: "If we get to Wembley, I don't care what happens in that game; we're at Wembley. But if we lost this one, it would be depressing. I'd be distraught."
Brighton's path to the semi-final included an impressive 2-0 quarter-final victory over Arsenal, while Liverpool edged past Charlton with a 1-0 win. The Seagulls are riding high on a six-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, currently sitting sixth in the Women's Super League (WSL) table. Recent form has been stellar, with draws against Manchester United and Arsenal, plus a thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester City.
Caroline Sturtridge, another fan on the bus, radiated confidence: "I'm pretty confident, I think we're going to do it. We're going to get to Wembley. It's fantastic and to see so many people coming is fantastic. Our end's going to be rocking and I can't wait."
With the team's momentum and the supporters' unwavering passion, this semi-final promises to be a memorable chapter in Brighton's historic season—and perhaps a step closer to that Wembley dream.