14 min: Defender Rebekah Stott from New Zealand is one of Brighton’s new signings and will be one to watch this afternoon. 

Both teams are still getting into the swing of things.

18 min: City’s Sam Mewis, who has come from National Women’s Soccer League side North Carolina Courage, gets her first real run on the ball but can’t find a connection. 

19 mins: For a bit of context City finished in second last season, and Brighton in ninth after the Football Association cancelled the league due to Covid-19. 

No fans are in the stadium at City’s academy ground. 

City’s defence have calmed it down after getting a bit scrappy outside the box as they look for feeds up front. 

But Brighton get a hold of the ball and produce some fine plays around City’s midfield.

23 min: The game is evenly matched as the 20 minute mark passes. City pass it round the back desperately trying to find space on the wings, but Brighton are doing everything they can to stop the ball going to City’s front line. 

A free-kick for City but Albion kick it out. City quickly find their structure and go again. 

26 min: Kelly gets a solid run on the right as she passes square to White, who then passes it to Mewis. But Mewis looks a bit nervy as she fails to get her footing correct to get a shot at goal. 

29 min: Nothing really special happening from both sides but you can see City are really trying to pick up the pace with the help of new signing Greenwood. 

32 min: If Brighton keep tight and continue to put pressure on City’s defence, we may have a very narrow scoreline . 

CHANCE! Big save from Walsh as striker Kelly attempts to get her first goal for the side. 

34 min: CHANCE! City are struggling up front with the final touch. Kelly shows off her speed on the left but White couldn’t connect to bag the first goal for City. 

40 min: As we head into the final minutes before half-time Brighton are looking strong in defence especially from Stott who seems to be settling into her new squad just fine!