Report: Bristol City 1-2 West Ham United.

Bristol City were beaten 1-2 by West Ham United at Ashton Gate.

Amalie Thestrup had equalised for The Robins after Honoka Hayashi’s opener, but The Hammers struck back and Viviane Asseyi ‘s second-half strike was enough to see them head back to East London with all three points.

Lauren Smith made three changes to the side which was narrowly beaten by Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, with Satara Murray, Sille Struck and Mari Ward replacing Naomi Layzell, Chloe Mustaki and Emily Syme.

City came flying out of the blocks, as Jamie-Lee Napier won a corner inside 30-seconds. Megan Connolly’s subsequent cross was dangerous, and Struck got good contact on it, but could only divert her header behind for a goal-kick.

Abi Harrison played a sumptuous ball into the path of Amalie Thestrup, but City’s top scorer’s shot was comfortable for Mackenzie Arnold in the visiting goal.

West Ham took the lead against the run of play when Honoka Hayashi found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

There were strong appeals for a penalty when Ward was seemingly hauled down in the box, but referee Lauren Impey was quick to wave them away.

Lisa Evans replaced Satara Murray just after the half-hour mark, making her debut against her former club, who she left to join City only a few days ago.

Smith made another change at half-time in a bid to get back into the game, as Ward was replaced by Ffion Morgan.

Morgan was straight into the action, running half the length of the pitch and beating two defenders before teeing up Thestrup to sweep home her sixth of the season and draw City level.

The visitors retook the lead when Viviane Asseyi beat Struck for pace before poking past Shae Yanez and into the back of the net.

Evans’ cross towards Morgan at the back-post was punched clear by Arnold, but only as far as Thestrup, who’s attempted cut-back was intercepted.

Napier continued to cause problems for West Ham’s right-hand side, and she cut inside and fired an effort towards goal, but it was well held by Arnold.

As we headed into eleven minutes of additional time, City again saw appeals for a spot-kick turned down when Amy Rodgers was blocked in the area, as the referee again waved them away.

TEAM: Yanez (GK), Struck, Connolly ©, Murray (Evans ‘39), Powell, Jones (Hayles ‘87), Rodgers, Napier, Harrison (Syme ‘75), Ward (Morgan ‘45), Thestrup (Stratigakis ‘87). Substitutes: Clark (GK), Aspin, Bull, Slocombe.

ATT: 6,214