Report: Bristol City 0-1 Sheffield United (1).

The Robins struggled to get into the game against the Blades while they had to play most of the second half with 10 players after Vicky Bruce was red-carded. 

And though Grace Clinton had the ball in the net in added time the goal was disallowed for offside and the league leaders could not salvage anything. 

📝 BACKGROUND

Head Coach Lauren Smith made two changes from the side that won 1-0 at Southampton – Naomi Layzell and Aimee Palmer replacing Mari Ward and Shania Hayles.

✍️ WHAT HAPPENED? 

The Robins had few chances on goal, the first real one falling in the 23^rd minute when Brooke Aspin headed Palmer’s corner wide.

Then came a sucker-punch when a Palmer free-kick was cut out and Sheffield counter-attacked with Sweetman-Kirk popping up at the far post to steer the ball into net.

The Blades almost grabbed a second when they countered from another City free-kick but Mia Enderby shot over.

⏱ HALF-TIME

Smith made a half-time substitution, with Ella Powell replacing Layzell, who had already been booked for a heavy challenge.

However, things got worse when Vicky Bruce was red-carded for a foul on Enderby in the 52^nd minute while they needed an Aspin shot-saving challenge to deny the visitors another opportunity.

Hayles and Emily Syme came on for Jess Woolley and Rachel Furness after 62 minutes and the changes had the desired effect with City having more of the ball.

And they almost got the breakthrough when Gracie Pearse hit the post with a header from Palmer’s corner and then Clinton had the ball in the next but was judged to be offside. 

City’s last throw of the dice came in added time with a Clinton free-kick which Fren Stenson saved to her right.

🏃‍♂TEAM 

Bentley ©, Bruce, Layzell (Powell 46'), Aspin, Pearse, Furness (Syme 62'), Palmer (Teisar 90'), Morgan (Ward 90'), Clinton, Harrison, Woolley (Hayles 62').

Subs not used: Clark, Cataldo, J. Bull, Hutton. 

🎥 REACTION

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📸 GALLERY

🎟️ FINAL HOME GAME AT ASHTON GATE!

Get your tickets now for the final home game of the season, against Charlton Athletic on Sunday, April 23rd (3pm), with more than 2,000 already sold.