Caitlin Hayes celebrates scoring Brighton's second against Arsenal
Madison Haley and Caitlin Hayes found the net as Brighton delivered a superb performance to beat Arsenal 2-0 and progress to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-finals.
Haley powered home a fine finish to break the deadlock three minutes into the second half before Hayes headed home the second just after the hour mark on a memorable afternoon for the visitors in Borehamwood.
Arsenal progressed to the Champions League semi-finals in midweek but despite testing Chiamaka Nnadozie on several occasions, were unable to find a breakthrough.
Brighton started strongly at the Mangata Developments Stadium, Jelena Cankovic seeing an early effort saved by Daphne van Domselaar before Charlie Rule had two attempts scrambled to safety when a corner wasn’t cleared.
Manuela Vanegas also tested Van Domselaar as the visitors continued to threaten but Arsenal gradually grew into the contest and Mariona Caldentey had their first shot on target, which was well kept out by Nnadozie.
The Albion goalkeeper then denied Smilla Holmberg with a brilliant save from point-blank range when the Swedish teenager met Chloe Kelly’s cross.
Stina Blackstenius drilled an effort narrowly wide as the first half ended goalless and the same player had the ball in the net inside the opening 30 seconds of the restart, though the whistle had already gone for a foul by the forward.
Brighton then surged forward themselves and took the lead in style, Haley exchanging passes with Fran Kirby and blasting a fierce strike into the top corner.
Holmberg pulled a shot wide as the hosts sought a response and Renee Slegers called for the cavalry as she sent on Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and Caitlin Foord in a triple substitution.
But it was Albion who scored the decisive second goal, doubling their lead through Hayes’ towering header at the back post from Kirby’s corner.
It was almost three when a sliding Kirby was inches away from connecting with Carla Camacho’s low cross, and the 77-cap Lioness was presented with another opportunity when Olivia Smith’s misplaced pass went straight to her, but she fired over from range.
Nnadozie pulled off another fine save to deny Laia Codina late on while Russo blazed wildly over from a tight angle as the 14-time winners bowed out.