Report: Bristol City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers.

City got their first home win of the season at Ashton Gate, beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1.

Goals from Lexi Lloyd-Smith and Emily Syme, either side of Maria Edwards’ strike, were enough to see The Robins to three points in BS3.

Head Coach Steve Kirby made two changes to his side that beat Sheffield United last time out, with Abi Harrison and Jazz Bull replacing Mari Ward and Greta Humphries.

Chloe Mustaki made the bench, her first appearance in a matchday squad after nine months injured.

City took the lead inside 90 seconds when Lloyd-Smith found herself one-on-one with the ‘keeper and slotted into the bottom corner for her fourth goal of the season.

Abi Harrison went close to making it two as The Robins piled on the pressure, but she dragged her shot just wide after Ffion Morgan’s cross.

In the 20th minute, Ashton Gate rose for applause to celebrate the life of Jesse Lloyd-Smith, Lexi's younger brother.

Fran Bentley was called into action for the first time on the half-hour mark when she tipped a long-range effort behind for a corner.

Amy Rodgers was then a whisker away from doubling City’s advantage, seeing her 25-yard strike clip the crossbar and go behind for a goal-kick.

The visitors then had a good chance of their own through Maria Edwards, but she couldn't beat Bentley, who got down to her right and tipped the shot round the post.

Kirby opted for a change at the break, as Humphries came into the back three in place of Bull.

Shortly after the restart, Blackburn’s Eve Clarkson was stretchered off to a standing ovation from all at Ashton Gate after a lengthy stoppage.

As action got back underway, Morgan played a superb pass through to Amalie Thestrup, but she could only find the side netting with her effort.

The visitors equalised with 15 minutes of normal time remaining as Edwards pounced on a defensive mixup and fired past Bentley from just inside the area.

Jemima Dohou’s free-kick from around 30-yards cannoned off the crossbar before Bentley comfortably gathered the follow up.

Mari Ward, Jesse Woolley and Maddy Earl were all introduced as we went into 12 minutes of additional time, with both sides looking to grab the winner.

It was the Robins who got their reward and went back in front when Ward and Earl combined to set up Syme from the edge of the box, and she left Poppy Soper in the visiting net with no chance, curling a stunning effort into the top corner.

STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Bull (Humphries 45’), Struck, Bennett, Napier (C), Rodgers, Syme, Morgan (Earl 89’), Lloyd-Smith, Harrison (Ward 81’), Thestrup (Woolley 89’).
Substitutes: Burns (GK), Mustaki, Bance, Teisar.