Report: Bristol City 0-1 Birmingham City.

Bristol City were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City at Ashton Gate.

Wilma Leidhammar’s second half goal was to be the decisive strike as City pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t quite find the finishing touch.

Charlotte Healy made three changes to the side which beat league leaders Charlton Athletic last week, with Sille Struck, Marine Dafeur and Jessie Gale all coming into the team.

Ella Powell started, making her 100th appearance for the club.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith did well to break free before setting Katie Robinson to strike, but her effort was deflected and cleared.

Birmingham ‘keeper Adrianna Franch was injured and replaced by Lucy Thomas after a break in play.

Lily Crosthwaite was found in behind the City defence and had a great chance to score, but fired straight at Fran Bentley.

Martha Harris picked up the ball on the edge of the area and curled towards goal, but could only find the roof of the net.

City had the best chance of the game when Sophie Ingle won the ball in the middle third of the park before releasing Gale in behind, but the Arsenal loanee could only shoot straight at Thomas.

Lloyd-Smith had a lot to do after being found in space by Gale, and her effort was blocked after she’d beat two defenders to find an opening.

Dafeur was replaced by Vera Jones at the break.

Veatriki Sarri had the first big chance of the half, heading wide from no more than two yards out.

Crosthwaite had a brilliant chance of her own moments later, getting the better of Mari Ward on the left before firing inches wide of the bottom left corner.

Ingle struck a brilliant volley which looked certain to find the back of the net, but Thomas got down well to push it behind for a corner.

The Blues took the lead when Leidhammar capitalised on a defensive mixup to fire past Bentley.

Oliwia Woś, Harley Bennett and Rio Hardy were introduced on 70 minutes as City looked to get back into the game.

Maria Farrugia replaced Katie Robinson with just over ten minutes left on the clock.

Lloyd-Smith picked the ball on the left and cut inside, curling narrowly wide with Thomas at full stretch, and Birmingham stood tall to see the game out.

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STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Powell (Bennett 71’), Lawley, Struck (Woś 71’), Ward, Ingle, Dafeur (Jones 45’), Syme (c), Robinson (Farrugia 78’), Lloyd-Smith, Gale (Hardy 71’).

Subs not used: Brzykcy (GK), Morgan, Sáez.