Bristol City Women 5 Durham Women's FC 0

Bristol City Women 5 Durham Women's FC 0

Posted on: 16 Dec 2024

Olly Boyce reviews Bristol City Women's 5-0 home win against Durham Women on Sunday 15 December 2024 

An earlier start today in Bristol as The Robin's hosted Durham in what promised to be a thrilling fixture as 2nd and 3rd battled for a spot closer to the top of the Barclays Championship tree. The home side will have hoped to have their Christmas come early by ending their last December fixture with three points. The visitors today are a classy outfit, coached by Adam Furness, Durham have won four of their last five and are level on points with league leaders Birmingham. City have been on a winning streak of their own, however in midweek they were on the wrong end of a 6-2 thumping at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion. Head Coach Steve Kirby makes 9 changes today in hope for a better result.

The opening few minutes of this encounter were laced with aggression and venom from both teams with challenges flying left, right and centre. You could sense the tension between the sides even through the frosty breeze. Kirby himself added to the fiery atmosphere throwing the ball away delaying a Durham throw; much to the dismay of the visitors. Eight minutes in the first real opportunity fell to Ffion Morgan in close proximity of the Durham goal but was quickly gathered by away goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders.

Bristol City Women 5 Durham Women 0 - 15 December 2024

A rocky few minutes for Durham’s Abbey Holmes as a heavy touch let Mari Ward through, the attacker swung her leg back and a shot proceeded straight at the Durham keeper, meanwhile Holmes had clashed straight into Ward leaving the city player clutching her leg in agony. We were then met with a large pause in play as Ward departed the field for Ella Powell.

An agonising quarter of an hour passed with City topping the possession and attacking opportunities. Much against the run of play, Durham striker Carly Johns found herself in the middle of city’s six-yard box much to her own shock. The forward had what felt like hours to pick her spot, but City’s Fran Bentley’s outstretched arm was enough to deny what would have been an undeserved opener.

Finally, the deadlock was broken as the fourth official held up the board for six additional minutes. Emily Syme slotted the ball calmly into the bottom left corner after it broke kindly for her just outside the penalty area. It was a question of when, not how, for City as this first half has been breathtakingly full of attacking chances for the reds.

Blue despair, red frustration was the tale of the opening 45 with City leading by a goal to nil. Ultimately it should’ve been twos and threes as the home side created numerous chances while Durham could hardly break past the halfway line. You can imagine the team talks at the half will have been drastically different. If Kirby could acquire a method for his side to continue running riot in the second half, City would have to amount as comfortable victors.

One change was made by the trailing side which was Deirdre Bradley replacing Michaela Foster. Durham Manager Adam Furness would have been desperately trying to figure out a solution to this barrage of red.

Abby Holmes finally made her way into the referee’s book as she picked up Durham’s third yellow of the fixture so far. The Durham players had been chasing shadows yet again at the start of the second period.

Just less than ten minutes gone in the second half and Syme was at the double. The forward had continued her threat into the second half, a ball over the top played Syme just outside the box, mazy footwork to weave onto her left foot and a composed finish just past the fingertips of Saunders in goal. City again the better of the two sides in the opening 10 of the second period.

Mollie Lambert flew an ambitious attempt high and wide of the City net, Fran Bentley’s second half was no different to Santa’s schedule in January to November. Lambert’s effort was jeered within Ashton Gate as she flung her arms in frustration; really summing up Durham’s afternoon thus far.

Minute 66 and bang. Out of nowhere a third for City. A quiet game from Lexi Lloyd-Smith was bound to change at some point. City’s number 10 opened her body and sweetly struck a curling effort into the top right. A clinical finish that left Saunders with no chance. City took the backseat following the third from Lloyd-Smith. Kirby had the comfort of rotating players with four substitutions left. A triple sub proceeded, Rodgers, Morgan and Lloyd Smith were replaced by Teisar, Thestrup and Harrison.

A blue defensive mishap as Rebecca Salicki leaves a bouncing ball to her keeper, who, was firmly retreat in her goal leaving Tianna Teisar to pounce lofting the ball over Saunders to put the home side 4 to the good. It felt as if the Durham faithful were eager for the final whistle.

What a way to finish this clash. Just as the visitors thought their trip to Bristol was miserable enough Danish strike Amalie Thestrup pounced on a loose touch and attempted an outrageous shot from inside her own half! A torrid outing for Durham somehow managed to get worse as goalkeeper Saunders was caught way too far off her line, leaving the ball to roll into an empty net. After a beautiful brace from Emily Syme, the city star was awarded player of the match. Her last two displays have been nothing short of sublime. Or should I say sublyme?

Full time 5-0. Ashton Gate’s attendees certainly received an early Christmas present today. Simply superb from City. The Gate was rocking as The Robins concluded 2024 with an emphatic victory. Steve Kirby will be eager for the new year as his team will surely be pushing for promotion into the WSL.

Keep up to date with upcoming Bristol City Women's fixtures here.

 

Article by:

Olly Boyce

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.