Brighton looking to sting Bees

Barnet Ladies v Brighton & Hove Albion Ladies
The FA Women's Premier League Cup
2pm, Sunday 31 October 2010
At Hanwell Town FC

Southern Division side Brighton hope they can cause an upset by dumping top-flight Barnet out of The FA Women's Premier League Cup - and settle an old score in the process.

Last season, when both sides were tussling for promotion to the Premier League, Barnet finally settled a fiercely-contested encounter against the Seagulls with a dramatic 90th-minute winner - and then went on to get promoted.

As fate would have it, the pair have been drawn together in the first knock-out round of The Cup this season and Brighton manager Michael Bridges think his side have every chance of upsetting their opponents who are rock-bottom of the Premier League.

"They're a Premier League side so we have to show them respect," Bridges said. "They got promoted from our League last season so they're a decent side and have kept most of their players.

"But they are struggling so it's a good opportunity to test ourselves. It was a good draw and I think we've got a good chance.

"Some of my players might feel they owe them one after they got a last-minute winner against us last season. The girls feel like it's a chance to have another go at them and perhaps flip the result.

"We've been up and down a bit so far - we've had a couple of decent results and some very good performances.

"But we can hope for an upset, we will not expect one but we've got a decent chance."

Brighton secured their progression from Group Four with two wins and a defeat, leaving them second behind Premier League Millwall. And Bridges admits that keeping his side challenging in both League and Cup has been a careful juggling act.

"The Cup is not our priority but it's a nice opportunity to test ourselves against the best teams," he added. "And we feel that good form in the cup goes hand in hand with good form in the League.

"But I think some of the girls have maybe had half an eye on this game and didn't want to get injured before it.

"It is a big game and everyone wants to play so maybe it's human nature. There's a buzz and everyone is excited."