Bristol City have recorded their first Barclays FA Women’s Super League victory of the season, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 at Twerton Park this afternoon.
Matt Beard’s side glided to victory in Bath after struggling for much of the season. A goal from Yana Daniels and a brace from Ebony Salmon ensured that the hosts collected three points to boost their survival bid.
From the start, The Robins showed how important an extra week of preparation was for this relegation battle, the intensity, pressing and organisation improving from their recent defeat at Everton. Beard’s side opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Yana Daniels took aim from 25 yards, beating Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand.
Albion responded by creating chances, yet shots from Inessa Kaagman, Rianna Jarrett and a header from Megan Connolly never threatened the goal of Sophie Baggaley, who comfortably collected all of Brighton & Hove Albion’s efforts. The Seagulls’ first real chance came in the 19th minute, as Jarrett skilfully passed Flo Allen on the left wing, setting up Ellie Brazil. The forward’s resulting shot from a promising position whimpered wide of the goal.
The visitors held the ball comfortably for a 10-minute spell, failing to develop any cutting edge chances with Bristol City having less of the possession, yet more of the opportunities in the final third. In the 28th minute, debutant Molly Pike recovered the ball with Aimee Palmer quickly following up with a shot that whispered past the post.
The warning signs were there for Brighton & Hove Albion and in the 34th minute, the returning Jas Matthews played Salmon through. Using her natural pace and strength she burst onto the ball, sliding it past Fiskerstrand to put her side 2-0 up.
The Robins’ chances didn’t end there with Charlie Wellings breaking into the box only to be brought down but at the displeasure of her manager, no penalty was given.
Just before half-time, Kayleigh Green created Brighton & Hove Albion’s clearest chance of the game, yet the full-back met more of the ground than the ball as her shot rolled out of play, summing up Albion’s first half.
Not much changed in the second half with Bristol City continuing from where they left off. Salmon worked her way down the right side and shot from a close angle but the ball went straight across the Albion goal. The Robins then had a golden chance to cement their lead as they were awarded a penalty for a Victoria Williams hand ball. Salmon stepped to take the spot kick, beating Fiskerstrand to add to her first half goal.
The Bristol City forward continued to torment the Brighton & Hove Albion defence. Carla Humphrey won the ball back on the halfway line and Salmon was set free once more. This time her shot didn’t trouble Fiskerstrand as she shot straight down the middle.
Frustrations grew for Brighton & Hove Albion and in the 67th minute, Green forcefully stamped on goalscorer Daniels to earn herself a red card.
Salmon then thundered a shot against the crossbar as she missed the opportunity to complete her hat-trick before the game began to die out.
With a league victory finally having been recorded, Bristol City will be looking to make it back-to-back wins when they face Leicester City in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup semi-finals in midweek. Brighton & Hove Albion must look to bounce back against Barclays FA Women’s Super League champions Chelsea next weekend.