Report: Bristol City 3-1 London City Lionesses.

Goals from Shania Hayles, Grace Clinton and Ffion Morgan secured all three points for the Robins.

✍️ BACKGROUND

Lauren Smith made two changes to the side that picked up a point away to Blackburn Rovers three days earlier as Chloè Bull and Jodie Hutton made way for Gracie Pearse and Clinton.

📝 WHAT HAPPENED? 

In a high-intensity start to the game, few chances were created for either side.

The first chance of the game fell to Hayles in the 17^th minute, working space in the area before seeing a shot saved by Shae Yanez.

Just minutes later Jamie-Lee Napier first tested Fran Bentley in the City goal with a header from close range but the Robins’ shot stopper was equal to it.

The best chance of the half fell to Sarah Ewens, who let fly from distance but Bentley was on hand to tip round the post as the ball looked destined for the top right-hand corner.

Hayles then opened the scoring for City in the 38^th minute, latching on to Palmer’s ball over the top before keeping a cool head, slotting past Yanez comfortably.

The lead did not last long as the visitors equalised through Lily Agg, whose looping header from Shanade Hopcroft’s free-kick found the back of the net just five minutes later.

⏱️ HALF-TIME

The first chance of the second half fell to Karin Muya, driving towards goal from the right-hand side but Bentley saved well with her feet at the near post.

Harrison then almost found the back of the net, forcing a save out of Yanez with a powerful effort from wide on the right.

City took the lead from the resulting corner kick, as Clinton headed in from close range after Yanez clawed out Palmer’s set piece.

Ffion Morgan stretched City’s advantage just three minutes later, turning in Harrison’s cross at the far post.

The Robins were purring in the second half, with Syme firing just over from inside the area in the 65^th minute, before second-half substitute Rachel Furness saw two efforts from the edge of the area narrowly miss the target.

Hopcroft went close for London City as she saw a free-kick from 25-yards out whistle past the post.

Amy Rodgers swivelled in the area and her volley looked destined for the back of the net before Bentley got a strong left hand to it.

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🏃‍♂TEAM

Bentley, Pearse, Layzell, Bruce, Powell (Woolley 90'), Syme, Palmer (Wilde 90'), Clinton, Cataldo (Morgan 45'), Hayles (Furness 68'), Harrison

Subs not used: Clark, C.Bull, Teisar, Hutton, Ward.

🎥 POST-MATCH REACTION 

🗓 UP NEXT AT HOME

City are back in action at the Robins High Performance Centre on Sunday (3pm) for the visit of Lewes in the Barclays Championship.