Women's FA Cup: Luton Town hope for upset against WSL's Brighton

It may just be a way of deflecting pressure, but do not ask anyone at Luton Town whether their Women's FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion is the biggest game in their history and expect a simple answer.

"You can say it's the biggest, but it depends what angle you're seeing it from," says striker Samaira Khan, a former professional in the United States.

"We're in a development process right now and I'm sure that as we go on, there'll be games to rival this," manager Rob Burton tells BBC Look East.

It is, though, a match which will pit them against a fully professional Brighton side from the Women's Super League, with 43 places separating them in the football pyramid.

Luton play in the Premier Division of the Eastern Region League, the fifth tier of the women's game, and have fought their way through five games, including two preliminary rounds, to reach the last 32 of the competition.

There is a chasm between the two teams but Luton are not daunted by the challenge they will face on Sunday.

"Of course, it's going to be a different standard on Sunday that we haven't seen this season or in previous seasons, but until that full-time whistle goes, anything can happen," adds Khan.

Blend of youth and experience

Samaira Khan's winning goal in the third round was her fourth of the season for Luton Town

She headed the only goal when they beat Keynsham 1-0 in the third round and her experience will be invaluable as younger team-mates look around them for leadership.

"It's a case of keeping your mind in the game throughout and trying your absolute best. Through the experience I've had, it's a case of winning your personal battles, giving 110%, taking your chance when you've got it and seeing what the outcome is," the 32-year-old said.

"It's about the level of fitness and technique, but it's also about football intelligence that you have. Are you going to be in the right place at the right time?"

The nurturing of young talent is a major part of the Luton set-up and Khan is a mentor to Gabriella Spillman, 16, who made her own mark on the FA Cup by scoring twice against Harpenden in round one and again in a 5-3 win at Enfield which followed.

"Since I joined Luton, Sam has been guiding me. So much of her advice has helped me and it's made me realise my dream could actually come true, to become a professional player. She's really inspired me," Spillman said.

Khan has no doubt that everything is in place for Luton to follow the example of the men's team - who have climbed from non-league football in the National League to the Premier League - and march upwards through the leagues.

She added: "There are many things this club is going to achieve in the next five to 10 years."

Facing international stars

Brighton are 10th in WSL and like Luton, have not played competitively since 17 December when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa, their third loss in a run of four games without a win.

But their multi-national squad includes striker Elisabeth Terland, joint second highest scorer in the league with seven goals, fellow Norwegian Maria Thorisdottir, captain Vicky Losada from Spain and England international midfielder Katie Robinson.

It is not the first time the two sides have met in the FA Cup - in 2008, Luton won 1-0 in the third round before being knocked out by Blackburn Rovers, but that was three years before the WSL existed and Brighton were not among the top-flight sides.

However, the prospect of stepping on to the same pitch as the Seagulls at Barton Rovers FC, seven miles north of Luton, is one Spillman is relishing.

"I'm not expecting this to be a game we can just fire through and win. I'm expecting this to be a game which is full of learning," she said.

"It's going to be tough but I know I'm going to love every moment of it if I get lucky enough to play. I'll be just excited to be on the pitch with my team, against such a great opponent."

Although Luton are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, skipper Jess McKay believes they must go into the game with confidence.

She said: "We've done a lot of preparation, we deserve to be there on Sunday playing against that team, we've put a lot of hard work in.

"One thing we have is a lot of desire and passion, the girls go out every single week and play for the badge and for each other, and don't leave anything on that pitch."

So is it 'the biggest'?

Rob Burton became Luton manager in the summer of 2022, when Nikki Baker changed roles at the club

Luton clearly enjoy knockout football as they won two cup competitions last season.

But victory over Keynsham earned them £35,000 and a shock result against Brighton, managed by Melissa Phillips, would bring in another £54,000, a huge sum for a club at their level.

So for that reason, if for no other, it surely is the biggest game in their history.

"The journey up until this game was huge. And this is the pinnacle to show people what is achievable with the right mindset," said Khan.

"For the magnitude and scope of what it is, it is the biggest. For the opportunity for the future, that's where I'd say yes, comfortably."

The game will, according to manager Burton, provide the "greatest exposure" his team have had, and although he knows the odds are stacked against them, he believes it is far from mission impossible.

"Never rule out the magic of the FA Cup. Never rule out what self belief can do."

Interviews by BBC Look East's Jonathan Park