Report: Bristol City 2-0 Newcastle United.

Bristol City beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Ashton Gate.

Mari Ward’s first home goal for the club and Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s fifth league strike of the season saw The Robins to their third straight home win.

Steve Kirby made one change to the side which was narrowly beaten by Sunderland, with Jesse Woolley replacing Amalie Thestrup in the starting XI.

Former Robins Elyssia Boddy and Shania Hayles started for Newcastle on their return to BS3.

Hayles created the first chance of the game, capitalising on a mixup at the back to tee up Jasmin M’Quade, but she dragged her shot wide.

Woolley’s deep cross from the right found Chloe Mustaki at the back-post, but she couldn’t quite get the right connection on her header, seeing it sail over Claudia Moan in the visiting net.

Ffion Morgan fizzed a great ball across the face of the six-yard box which was well dealt with by Moan, who was able to palm it away from danger.

Jamie-Lee Napier and Lloyd-Smith combined on the left, playing a neat one-two before the former saw her dangerous delivery headed behind for a corner.

The visitors won a free-kick 25-yards from goal and Beth Lumsden tried her luck, but was unable to trouble Fran Bentley between the sticks.

Kirby was forced into an early change, with Woolley picking up an injury and making way for Libby Bance.

City took the lead deep into first-half injury time when Mustaki’s cross was cut-back by Emily Syme into the path of Ward, who tucked home from close range for her second goal in as many games.

The Robins began the second period just as they finished the first, doubling their lead through Lloyd-Smith. Napier’s cross was initially blocked by the ‘keeper, but fell nicely for Lloyd-Smith, who rolled into the empty net from just inside the area.

Mustaki and Ward were given a standing ovation as they were replaced by Amalie Thestrup and Ella Powell.

Sille Struck was sent off for a second booking with ten minutes of regular time left on the clock.

STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Struck, Bennett, Mustaki (Powell 72’), Napier (C), Rodgers, Syme, Ward (Thestrup 72’), Woolley (Bance 31’), Morgan (Harrison 83’), Lloyd-Smith (Harrison 83’). Substitutes: Burns (GK), Bull, Earl, Teisar.

Words: Kory Cook