Seagulls fans flock to Wembley for FA Cup final

Anticipation is building as Brighton & Hove Albion fans head to Wembley for the Women's FA Cup final.

Albion scored a last-minute goal against Liverpool in the semi-final to send them to face Manchester City.

Sara Marchant, who has followed the team for more than 30 years, was travelling to the game by coach with her daughter Amy.

Amy Marchant said: "It's a once in a lifetime experience, hopefully unforgettable."

Willow Kirk-George was also on board. She told BBC Radio Sussex she was "optimistic" and that Albion were "capable of doing it".

"I'm very excited that the one game I can go to is Wembley, so hopefully they can pull out a win for it," she said.

Kirk-George said her job at a carvery has meant this is the first game she has been able to attend all season.

Janette Back, an Albion fan for nearly a decade, said: "I just cannot believe we've got here, its such a real statement for the girls, it really is.

"They've done so well this season."

She said she had not had time for so much as a cup of tea before heading to catch the coach to Wembley from Eastbourne.

Her friend Janet Cotton said "Having a women's FA Cup Final at Wembley is just amazing anyway, to be here with Brighton is super exciting.

"So many guys are here as well, which is brilliant, supporting the game."

William, 14, was predicting a 2-1 win for Brighton and said he felt "excited and optimistic" for the cup final.

The team was also backed by Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey, who said: "It's important to reflect on what a huge moment this is, particularly for girls and women across Brighton and Sussex."

Zoe Johnson, managing director of women's football at Brighton & Hove Albion, told Radio Sussex that "everyone's just really filled with excitement".

"I think there's been a lot of hard work gone in behind the scenes for a number of years," she said.

"It would be a massive day in history for us."