Smith reflects on Durham point.

🗓 NEXT HOME GAME

City return to the High Performance Centre on Sunday, December 11th (3pm) for the Vitality Women's FA Cup Third Round tie against Southampton. 

Shania Hayles opened the scoring after 22 minutes before Rio Hardy cancelled her effort out just 11 minutes later.

With both sides creating chances in the second half, the hosts were presented with a golden opportunity to win it 10 minutes from time as Vicky Bruce brought down Jess Clarke in the area.

City stopper Fran Bentley proved to be the hero of the hour as she dived away to her right to deny Beth Hepple from the spot, leaving Smith content with a share of the spoils.

"I’m quite pleased to be coming away with a point," said the Robins Head Coach.

"I think Fran has done brilliantly to save that penalty and keep us in it but it was a game that was there for the taking.

"Both teams could easily have come away with maximum points so, while we’re disappointed it’s not three, it’s great to be going back down the road with something to show for our efforts."

Smith continued: "Durham are a tough team to play against. They’re experienced and well organised which showed during the game.

"We weren’t stepping onto the loose balls as well as they were which meant that the ‘luck’ seemed to be falling their way and we didn’t wake up to that until the end of the game."

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Next up for City is a home draw in the Vitality FA Cup as Southampton visit the Robins' High Performance Centre on Sunday, December 11th (3pm).

"We’ve got more to give, and we’ve said that throughout the season," said Smith.

"We’re absolutely not ready for a break just yet so the two cup games between now and Christmas will be really important for us to try to build some momentum ahead of 2023."