Report: Bristol City 0-2 Manchester United.

City were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in front of a record crowd at Ashton Gate.

Second-half strikes from Hinata Miyazawa and Nikita Parris were enough for the visitors to take all three points, with 14,138 fans in attendance.

Lauren Smith named an unchanged side to the team which drew 2-2 with Everton last time out in the Barclays Women’s Super League, meaning Liv Clark continued between the sticks and Carrie Jones dropped into midfield, just as she did against The Toffees.

Clark pulled off an outstanding save to deny Nikita Parris an opener after Geyse Da Silva Ferreira got the better of Naomi Layzell on the right-hand side.

Katie Zelem found Leah Galton in space just inside the area before the latter saw her effort tipped round the post by Clark. 

Clark was at hand again to keep the scores level as she got a strong hand on Millie Turner’s powerful shot to turn it behind for a corner. 

Smith was forced into a change just prior to the half-hour mark as Brooke Aspin was stretchered off after picking up an injury, and was replaced by Chloe Mustaki.

City broke well as Abi Harrison released Jones on the right-hand side, but her cross was just behind Jamie-Lee Napier at the back post.

The Robins almost broke the deadlock when Harrison’s whipped delivery was headed goalwards by Amy Rodgers, but Mary Earps got down well to push it away and keep the scores level heading into half-time.

City flew out the blocks at the start of the second half and Harrison’s driven ball across the face of goal just evaded Amalie Thestrup at the back post.

Manchester United took the lead when Miyazawa’s shot cruelly deflected off the back of Mustaki and past Clark.

The visitors' advantage was doubled as Parris headed Toone’s cross home from close range.

Toone was involved again, this time smashing a shot goalwards after being teed up by Galton, but Clark stood strong to palm it away.

Parris had the ball in the back of the net again, latching onto Toone’s miscued shot at the back stick, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside.

Substitute Mari Ward used her pace to beat two United players before going down in the area, but a corner was given rather than a penalty.

The last chance of the game fell to Jones, who didn't get the connection she would've liked on her shot, and it was comfortable for Earps.

TEAM: Clark (GK), Aspin (Mustaki ‘27), Connolly ©, Layzell, Powell (Syme ‘71), Rodgers, Jones, Napier, Thestrup, Morgan, Harrison (Ward ‘71). Substitutes: Haaland (GK), Struck, Bull, Woolley, Teisar, Kendell. 

ATT: 14,138

Report by Kory Cook

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