Review: Bristol City Women 2 Newcastle United WFC 0
Posted on: 10 Nov 2024Review: Bristol City Women 2 Newcastle United WFC 0
Sunday 10 November 2024
Ashton Gate was buzzing today in the fresh November conditions; the sun was cloaked by the overcast sky yet the feeling around the ground remained very bright. The home side looked to make amends after last week’s loss in the seven-goal thriller away at Sunderland in what was their first loss in over a month. Today's visitors were unbeaten in their last 3 matches, super striker Shania Hayles looked to extend her goalscoring tally after bagging 4 in her last 2 appearances. The Toon army were gathered in numbers 300 miles south of Tyneside as the Magpies looked to extend the 3-point gap separating them and the Robins.
We began the afternoon with a minute’s silence on Remembrance Sunday and I must say, it was the only minute the magpies' fans were silent all day. City started the game much better than the visitors as captain Napier prospered down the left-hand side in the opening minutes. Newcastle soon found their way into the fixture as in the seventh minute, no.7 Hayles made her way into the city area cutting the ball to the edge of the box to Jasmine McQuade however the midfielder fired just wide of Fran Bentley’s goal.
Into minute 23, the home side emerged as the dominant of the pair having so far, kept substantial possession. Napier found acres of space down the left, a familiar sight at the Gate. The skipper whipped a wicked cross into the 6-yard box but to her dismay, it was a Newcastle head that cleared. City continued their long spell of possession but after a loose touch in the red midfield, Lumsden lunged to the ball and broke through the home defence unleashing a snapshot just clearing the post. The live wire certainly proved to be a thorn in City’s side at the half-hour mark. Lumsden sparked another shot at goal less than a minute later, this time from a free-kick 30 yards out from goal. Woolley departed the game after struggling with an injury for the last few minutes. The young forward looked visibly upset after her first start in this league campaign and she was replaced by Libby Bance.
After a bleak first 45, the game finally began to ignite into the additional minutes. A hopeful City cross from the left flank looped into the Newcastle area however with no one meeting the cross, Syme finds Mari Ward at point blank range who seemingly beat the opposing keeper with her kneecap. City took the lead on the stroke of halftime.
The magpie's manager made 2 hopeful changes at the start of the second half with Jasmine McQuade and Olivia Watt departing for Amber-Keegan Stobbs and Isabella Sibley.
Hardly 90 seconds into the half, dynamo Lexi Lloyd-Smith snatched the ball in the middle of the park before fizzing a pass out wide to Napier launching the attack. The captain weaved her way to the bi line and her hopeful cross tangled the legs of the toon defenders. Eventually it bobbled its way back to the source of the move, Lloyd-Smith, who slotted the ball into an empty net as keeper Moan was fixated on Napier’s mazy run. A perfect start to the second half from City and delight for Steve Kirby.
The onslaught continued for the following 5 minutes as Ffion Morgan slalomed downfield and delivered another ball into the Newcastle box. The home side really had their boots on the necks of the visitors.
After a lacklustre hour, Joel departed For Emma Kelly as the away side hoped to shake things up. A city substitution followed with Ward and Mustaki making way for Powell and Thestrup. A clumsy challenge by Lloyd- Smith gave Newcastle a dangerous free kick just wide of the penalty area but was narrowly missed at the back post in what could have been a real chance for the visitors.
A final change for the away side saw the promising Hayles make way for Sophie Haywood. The forward looked like Newcastle’s greatest chance of nicking a result from this game but after a quiet second-half, manager Becky Langley had no choice but to roll the dice up front.
The next sign of action came in the 81st minute as Sille Struck was dismissed after a 2nd yellow. It could have been a long final 10 for the reds. Some would say it was namesake of Struck lunging into silly challenges after already being cautioned.
As we entered the final 5 minutes, defensive precautions were made by Steve Kirby as attackers Morgan and Lloyd Smith were changed for Harrison and Humphries.
Finally, a wayward strike from Boddy concluded the second half. A dismal performance from Newcastle in the end as a potent Bristol City took the sting out of the game either side of half-time.
Player of the match and goal scorer Mari Ward declared she was “Really happy to get my first home goal for the team”. Manager Steve Kirby also added “I’m really pleased with the team showing we can win in that style.” “It’s a good sign for our evolution as a team”.
The City faithful here at Ashton Gate will be eager to see just how far this team can evolve as they climb the women's Championship table yet again. Their next fixture is a middle of the table affair against Charlton Athletic on Sunday 17 November before a home fixture the following Sunday, 24 November against league leaders Birmingham City at The Robins High Performance Centre in Failand. Tickets for the home fixture are available here.
Article by:
Sports-mad A-level student with his heart set on a career in football journalism. He’s played in Bristol’s top level of youth football, the Junior Premier League and years at Bristol Rovers Academy. Olly is hoping to secure a job/apprenticeship/trainee-ship in any kind of sports media. He can be contacted at ollyboyce09@gmail.com.
