Report: Bristol City 0-2 Southampton.

City were beaten 2-0 by Southampton at Ashton Gate.

An injury time goal in each half from Tegan McGowan and Ellie Brazil secured all three points for Saints as City struggled to get started in BS3.

Charlotte Healy made two changes to the team which started at Crystal Palace last week, with Fran Bentley returning in goal, and Oliwia Woś making her full debut.

Former Robins Aimee Palmer and Jess Simpson both started for The Saints.

It was a relatively uneventful opening quarter of an hour, with both sides limited to no clear cut opportunities.

Vicky Losada threaded a lovely ball into the channel for Jessie Gale to chase, but her cross towards Emily Syme was held by Fran Stenson.

The first notable chance of the game fell to City when Katie Robinson was found in the area by Syme, but her efforts were blocked twice before Stenson eventually gathered. 

Robinson was involved again as The Robins began to look more dangerous, this time driving a superb ball across the face of goal towards Syme, who just couldn't get there in time to divert it home.

Palmer then lifted a great ball into the path of Mary Bashford, whose ferocious volley sailed over.

Saints’ main threat was coming from corners, with Bentley being forced into two good saves directly from the in-swinging delivery.

The visitors took the lead moments before half-time, as McGowan bundled home at the back post.

City started the second half in similar fashion to how they ended the first, and struggled to get a foothold on the game.

Rio Hardy replaced Lexi Lloyd-Smith on the hour mark as Healy looked to get the all important equaliser.

Vera Jones and Gemma Lawley were then introduced, with Woś and Losada making way.

Bentley was called into action when she made a good save down to her right after Atlanta Primus’ effort.

City’s number one then stepped up again to keep the deficit down to one, bravely getting down to collect Collett’s driven cross.

Healy made her final two changes with five minutes of normal time remaining, with Maria Farrugia and Esther Morgan replacing Ella Powell and Robinson.

Southampton rounded off all three points when Brazil broke through and lifted the ball over Bentley and into the back of the net.

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STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Powell (Morgan 85’), Struck, Woś (Lawley 72’), Ward, Losada (c) (Jones 72’ ), Ingle, Lloyd-Smith (Hardy 61’), Syme, Gale, Robinson (Farrugia 85’). 

Substitutes not used: Brzykcy, Burns, Saez.