Le Tissier is optimistic despite cup heartbreak

The 18-year-old defender made her mark by scoring for Brighton & Hove Albion in a penalty shoot-out against Birmingham City, which they nevertheless lost 4-2 to miss out on a semi-final spot.

Albion had earlier shown the mettle to come back twice and end the regulation 90 minutes drawn at 2-2.

Yet following a strong start to their newest Women’s Super League campaign, Le Tissier remains upbeat about the possibilities that remain this season.

‘Obviously we’re gutted to go out on penalties, but there is still so much to look forward to, and I’m sure with the players we have now that we’ll have a good season,’ she said.

‘You can see the depth in our squad from the players that came in on Sunday and really made a difference.

‘We always talk about being together – starters, finishers, even the players supporting from the stand.

‘Everyone will play their part and we need everyone if we are going to win games and achieve our targets in the WSL.’

Le Tissier also provided a mature reflection of their performance in a match that ‘wasn’t to be’ last Sunday.

A Danielle Bowman spot-kick and late leveller from Denise O’Sullivan enabled them to reach the shoot-out, where Le Tissier and Rianna Jarrett scored from the spot, but the Sarnian identified the slow start as a key shortcoming.

‘We didn’t start well – we need to start quicker,’ she said after finding her team trailing within five minutes.

‘In the second half we were better, but it’s annoying. We changed formation and did all we could, we kept at it and when we made it 2-2, I thought we’d go on and win in extra time, but it wasn’t to be.’

The Women’s League Cup – which goes under the ‘Conti Cup’ moniker – forms an alternative goal for the Seagulls, but before the group stages start next week, they will return to WSL action this coming Sunday.

They will be on the road against a Manchester United side who currently sit fourth to their sixth.