‘This game won’t define our season’ – Beard.

The Gunners netted twice either side of half-time to ensure they left a sun soaked Twerton Park with all three points.

Despite the result, Sophie Baggaley put in a stunning display between the sticks making a number of outstanding stops to deny Arsenal’s star-studded front line.

“In the first half we were competitive – they [Arsenal] are a good side and the second goal before half-time killed the game off because of the timing,” said Beard. “We have got to stop conceding in the first five minutes, it’s really frustrating.”

“Like I said, the second goal killed the game off but I though Sophie Baggaley was outstanding today and overall, I felt we run out of steam a bit in the second forty-five minutes.  

“It’s a game that with result going our way, with Villa and Birmingham both losing as well, leaves us in the same position as before the game.

“We can take some positives from the first half and lessons from the second half into the next game, which will be the FA Cup. That’ll be a welcome distraction and then we’re into Aston Villa and the final three games of the season.

“They [Arsenal] are a good side. We’re three months into changing the way that we have been for two years, and these top sides have been together a very long time. They are also where they are because of the calibre of player that they have.

“When I came in, this wasn’t a game I looked at thinking it would define the final outcome of the season come May 9^th.”

Bristol City Women return to action on Sunday, April 18^th when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Third Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.