Bristol City recorded their first Barclays FA Women’s Super League victory of the season by beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 at Twerton Park yesterday.
The Robins controlled a highly competitive battle with fellow strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion in Bath and they recorded their first win of the season thanks to an intelligent 25-yard strike from Yana Daniels and a brace from forward Ebony Salmon.
When speaking to the media including FAWSL Full-Time after the game, Matt Beard rebuked suggestions that he had brought a special formula to Bristol City with his arrival.
“We haven’t reinvented the wheel” he said. “There’s no secret, they’re a pleasure to work with, a breath of fresh air.
“I’ve loved every minute of working with the group, we’ve worked harder with our intensity and on the back of that they’ve proved what good players they are.
“They deserve a lot of credit, a lot more than me.”
Discussing his side’s chances of survival after recording their first win of the season, Beard said “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we had a chance.
“I think everyone on the outside thinks Bristol City will go down but this team has a lot of talent and a great togetherness.”
Beard was under no illusion of the difficulties that come with the battle for survival.
“I’ll take each game as it comes, it’s going to be a tough ask” he stated.
“We’ve put West Ham and Aston Villa under pressure now.
“There’s no negotiation on working hard, if they do that everything will take care of itself.”
During the game, the visitors’ frustrations were clear to see, especially when Kayleigh Green forcefully stamped on Daniels, resulting in a red card. Bristol City boss Beard did not hide his thoughts on the incident.
He said “It was a clear red card, she’s had a red mist and stamped on Yana.
“Brighton were very ill-disciplined in the way they conducted themselves today, they were lucky to finish with 10, it could’ve been less.”
Bristol City captain Jas Matthews crowned her return to the starting XI by setting up Salmon for The Robins’ second goal and Beard was full of praise for the defender.
“I’ve been really impressed with Jasmine as a footballer” said Beard. “She’s an important part of the team.”
On the performance of double goalscorer Salmon, Beard stated “She’s an exceptionally talented player, she’ll go to the very top.”
Beard has labelled the victory over Brighton & Hove Albion as ‘a great platform to build on’ and he will be hoping to see his side put in another big performance when they face Leicester City in the semi-finals of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup on Wednesday evening.
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