Report: Bristol City Women 2-2 Lewes FC Women.

It was a back and forth start to the game with both sides looking to test each other and get in behind early doors. The visitors had a couple of free-kicks inside the first ten minutes but they were well dealt with by the Robins backline.

The visitors would be the side to have the first clear cut opportunity of the game through Ini Umotong, which saw the powerful forward force a solid stop from Sophie Whitehouse.

City grew back into the game and began to assert dominance. They would have the ball in the back of the net through Ella Powell but it was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper in the build-up.

A light shower provided a slick surface and the Robins looked to take advantage with crisp passing and runs in behind the defence.

Simran Jhamat stung the palms of the Lewes keeper with a well-struck half volley from the edge of the area, which was palmed over for a corner.

The resulting corner saw skipper Aimee Palmer pick out Abi Harrison and the forward almost found the bottom corner but her effort was well saved.

Lewes opened the scoring with a swift counter-attacking move that saw Freda Ayisi tuck home before half-time.

Following the interval it would be the visitors that would score the first goal. Lewes whipped a corner into the area which bounced off the wet surface and into the path of Ellie Hack, who tucked home.

City them ramped up the intensity as they searched for an avenue back into the game as Ava Kuyken’s effort from range was thwarted, before Palmer saw her volley come off the post.

The breakthrough that City desired came in the 74^th minute. Harrison struck the ball with venom on the turn which whistled past the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

It was two goals in as many minutes for the Scotswoman. Jhamat’s work down the left hand side saw her create space for a cross from Powell which allowed her to pick out the advancing Harrison, who opened up her body and caressed the ball into the back of the net off the underside of the bar.

With the wind in their sails City went in search of a winner and in the 86^th minute they thought they had found just that. Harrison’s wicked ball towards the far post was met by Brooke Aspin who powerfully headed home, only to be cruelly denied by the offside flag.

City’s toughest test of pre-season so far ended all square but there was certainly many positives and plenty of entertainment for the returning fans.

Bristol City Women: Whitehouse, Powell, Apsin, Layzell, Cataldo, Wilde, Palmer ©, Kuyken, Woolley, Jhamat, Harrison

Subs: Foley (GK), Johnson, Bull, Allen, Collis, Murray