Report: Bristol City 2-1 Reading.

Lauren Wade opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half, before a powerful strike from Abi Harrison on the hour levelled the scoring. 

The match-winner came courtesy of 16-year-old Tianna Teisar who demonstrated great composure to slot home from the penalty spot.

🧐 BACKGROUND

Head Coach Lauren Smith named five new signings in her starting XI to take on Reading as well as the familiar face of Fran Bentley in goal who signed permanently from Manchester United in the summer. 

Vicky Bruce, Chloe Mustaki, Emily Syme, Elysia Boddy and Shania Hayles all started outfield for the Robins. 

✍️ WHAT HAPPENED?

City shot out of the blocks from the first whistle as they moved the ball with intent to stretch Reading in the early stages.

Ffion Morgan thought she was a way within the first minute as she latched onto Lia Cataldo’s lofted through ball, however the linesman had his flag raised for offside.

Morgan looked lively from the off as the winger combined with one the Robins’ summer recruits Shania Hayles to hit the Royals on the counter, but to no avail.

Abi Harrison looked to test Grace Moloney from distance after 15 minutes but the shot-stopper comfortable scooped up the Scot’s effort.

Emily Syme came close to a dream return in front of the City fans as she shifted the ball onto her right foot and rifled a shot from 20-yards, which much to her disappointment whistled inches over the bar.

Lauren Smith’s side continued to dominate proceedings against their WSL opposition as the best chance of the half fell to Hayles on the half hour mark. Elysia Boddy picked out the forward unmarked in the six-yard box with an in-swinging cross, but Hayles failed to find the target.

The Robins’ failure to capitalise on their dominance was punished as Lauren Wade broke into the City box and managed to squeeze the ball under Fran Bentley at her near post to hand the Royals a one-nil lead heading into the break.

⏱ HALF-TIME

Following the break the two sides were evenly matched for the first ten minutes until City carved out an equaliser courtesy of the prolific Abi Harrison. Syme fashioned five yards of space in the box to pick out the forward who beautifully wrapped her foot round the ball to hammer home and leave Moloney helpless.

As the second half wore on it would be Bristol City who got stronger. Lauren Smith made sweeping changes but the Robins would seemingly keep going through the gears.

The decisive moment of the match came courtesy of 16-year-old Tianna Teisar. The second half substitute hared after Jesse Woolley’s through ball and was brought down inside the box, with the referee pointing to the spot.

The youngster picked herself up off the deck, dusted off her shoulders and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to hand City another pre-season victory over WSL opposition.

🏃‍♂TEAM

Bentley ©, Bruce (Wilde 20’ – Bruce 45’), Aspin, Layzell, Mustaki, Syme, Boddy (J.Bull 45’), Cataldo (Powell 45’), Hayles (Teisar 60’), Harrison (Woolley 60’), Morgan (Greenslade 75’)

Substitutes not used: Clark

🎥 POST-MATCH REACTION

📸 GALLERY

🎟 UP NEXT AT HOME!

Tickets for Blackburn Rovers' trip to the Robins High Performance Centre on Sunday, August 28th (3pm) are now available.

🎟 2022/23 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Season Tickets to watch City Women for the 2022/23 season are now on sale.

And you can watch them at the Robins High Performance Centre next season for as little as £60 for an Adult Season Ticket or a £40 Season Ticket for Under-12s, who will receive a free home outfield shirt.