After a season of further development under head coach Dario Vidošić, Brighton Women will compete in their first ever FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium this Sunday.

On their way to the competition’s near-summit, the Seagulls toppled 14-time winners Arsenal in the quarter-finals, before a stoppage-time winner from Nadine Noordam against Liverpool dramatically clinched their spot in the showpiece finale.

In that semi-final, Brighton found themselves two goals down inside twenty minutes, after a nervy start saw the side fail to clear their lines and assist the Reds in their continuous attacks. However, reactive finishes from Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley pulled the Seagulls level, before Noordam’s close-range strike at the death completed the spectacular comeback at St Helens Stadium.

“I think the results come down a little bit to the togetherness within this team,” explained Brighton defender Rachel McLauchlan. 

“Everyone will give absolutely everything right up to the dying moment, which is what we have seen especially in that Liverpool game, but there have been other games where we’ve come back and managed to get results as well.

“I think we’re going to fight for one another, which when you’re playing some of the higher teams you especially have to have.”

One of the ‘higher teams’ is certainly Manchester City, with Brighton’s Sunday opponents taking the Women’s Super League by storm to claim their first title in 10 years. The Sky Blues suffered just three defeats across their 22 league matches, however, one of these came against the Seagulls in late April.

A terrific second-half display at the Broadfield Stadium saw Brighton claim the 3-2 victory, after City forwards Kerolin, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp all failed to punish the Seagulls for their difficult start to the contest.

Brighton striker Carla Camacho revealed about the pivotal changes Vidosic made at half time: “Sometimes the advice is more mentally, like we have to be more connected since the beginning of the match. 

“But we are a strong team so we are looking forward to being connected since the first minute, because it’s a final and it’s important to do that from minute zero to 90.”

Despite growing up in Spain, Camacho is well aware of how prestigious the FA Cup is, explaining: “It is so exciting (to play at Wembley). When I came here of course I knew about the FA Cup before, but since you are not here you don’t know.

“But you can really feel how exciting it is and how special this competition is. It can be the first trophy for the men or women’s team so I think everyone is really looking forward to this day, and of course we will try our best to win this trophy.”

The 21-year-old will be hopeful of making it onto the Wembley pitch on Sunday as a substitute, with Haley recently excelling as the starting striker and recording five goals in the last six games. 

“When you come on in these situations, like such a big game, it really depends how the game is looking. If it’s a draw, or if we’re winning, if we’re losing, it really depends on the moment,” said the Spaniard.

“Of course, you always try to have an impact but also to be smart and see what the teammates are demanding from you in this moment.”

The situation is a familiar one for McLauchlan, with the right-back often replacing starting full-back Charlie Rule in WSL matches this season.

“It’ll obviously be a joy if I step onto the pitch. If I don’t, I think the whole situation is absolutely massive,” said the 28-year-old. 

“I’ll be rooting for whoever’s on the pitch, as long as everyone does as best they can, which I know they can. I’m really, really excited for the situation, I think it’ll be an amazing one.

“All of the girls are looking sharp in training and we’re just focusing on the match. Hopefully, like I say, we can end the season on a big high.”