Preview: Birmingham City (H).

Bristol City are back in league action at Ashton Gate as they host Birmingham City in BS3 on Sunday, September 15th (2pm).

City started their Barclays Women’s Championship season in strong fashion with a 1-1 draw away at Southampton last time out, and interim Head Coach Loren Dykes will be looking for her side to go one better against The Blues.

Six summer signings are all in contention to make their home debuts this weekend, including Lexi Lloyd-Smith, who scored a brilliant equaliser against her former side in the draw at St Mary’s. 

OUR OPPONENTS: BIRMINGHAM CITY

Founded: 1968

Stadium: St Andrew’s

Nickname: The Blues

Manager: Amy Merricks

Finish Last Season: 5th

Birmingham City were founding members of the Women’s Super League in 2011, but find themselves in the second tier after relegation in 2022.

The Blues narrowly missed out on immediate promotion back to the WSL in the 2022/23 season, finishing a point behind Lauren Smith’s Robins, who won the division. Birmingham then had a mixed campaign last season, eventually finishing fifth and appointing Amy Merricks as Head Coach in April.

Merricks added Ashanti Akpan, Ava Baker, Oliwia Szperkowska and Louanne Worsey to her ranks over the summer as she looks to build a side capable of promotion, and started the campaign emphatically with a 5-0 win over Sunderland. 

MATCH DETAILS

When: Sunday, September 15th (2pm)

Where: Ashton Gate Stadium

Competition: Barclays Women’s Championship

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lucy May

Assistant Referee: Ella Broad

Assistant Referee: Richard Fullicks

Fourth Official: Lee Markwick