Report: Bristol City Women 0-4 Birmingham City.

What Happened?

The Robins made three changes to the starting XI from their FA Continental Cup victory over London Bees with Abi Harrison, Flo Allen and captain Jas Matthews all returning to the line-up.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side started the stronger of the two with Charlie Wellings and Carla Humphrey having chances early on, the latter having the best when her volley from inside the box was well blocked by the Birmingham backline.

It was the visitors however who took the lead against the run of play. Racheal Corsie rose highest in the box at the near post to glance Sarah Mayling’s corner across goal and past the outstretched Baggaley.

The Blues’ lead was doubled just after the half-hour mark after a neat bit of skill on the right-hand side granted Connie Scofield space in the box to pull her cross back for Mollie Green, who had the simple job of sweeping the ball into the net from close range.

Birmingham got a third at the start of the second half through Claudia Walker when she picked the ball up on the edge of the box and curled a powerful effort into the top right corner from range.

There was a long stoppage in play after Palmer was caught late from Christie Murray in the centre-circle, resulting in the Robins midfielder being stretched off the pitch.

The Blues then got their fourth when Murray was fouled in the box after a challenge from Matthews. She stepped up and dispatched her penalty into the bottom-left corner which was too powerful for Baggaley in goal who guessed the right way.

Abbi Grant received a second yellow card deep into stoppage time and was given her marching orders by the referee, leaving the visitors with 10 players for the remainder of the game.

Despite substitute Ebony Salmon’s best efforts in the late stages, City were unable to pull a goal back late on, meaning the visitors made the trip back to the Midlands with all three points.

Teams:

Bristol City Women: Baggaley, Evans, Matthews (C), Logarzo, Humphrey, Wellings, Allen (Daniels, 45), Palmer (Rafferty, 63), Harrison (Bissell, 45), Purfield, Mastrantonio (Salmon, 45).

Subs: Haaland, Wilson, Layzell.

Birmingham City Women: Hampton, Scott, Corsie, Brougham, Holloway, Murray (C), Scofield (McCarron, 76), Green (Whipp, 66), Mayling, Walker (Toussaint, 90), Napier (Grant, 66).

Subs: Lawley. 

Lewis Barton