Aston Villa failed to hold onto a two goal lead, as Bristol City valiantly fought back to claim a vital draw in yesterday’s relegation six-pointer at the bottom of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.
It was a game of two halves at The Banks’s Stadium, as the hosts’ dominant first period made way for a late onslaught of pressure from The Robins, one that Villa’s usually resolute defence ultimately couldn’t handle.
Bristol City certainly left it late, but goals from substitutes Faye Bryson and Ella Mastrantonio cancelled out an unfortunate Meaghan Sargeant own goal and a Nat Haigh header, in what was a suitably dramatic finish to this crucial battle for Barclays FA Women’s Super League survival.
It was a start indicative of the high-intensity game to come as Ebony Salmon came close for the visitors with the first attack of the game. The England international sent a searching ball into the six-yard area but Asmita Ale made a crucial block with several Bristol City players waiting to get a touch.
The all-important early lead did come soon after but it was Villa who claimed it, a calamitous own goal from Sargeant doing the business. A dangerous ball in from Freya Gregory started the move, finding the head of Shania Hayles and while her initial header into the six-yard area was palmed away by Sophie Baggaley, it rebounded off her own defender into the back of the net. A deafening roar from The Villains bench followed, making it clear just how much the goal meant.
A scrappy, high-tempo half of football followed, unsurprisingly given the stature of the game. Villa were on top for the most part but both sides struggled to keep the ball in a what was certainly a tense affair and clear-cut chances were few and far between for the majority of the period.
Then in the 34th minute, Villa got a critical and well-deserved goal to double their lead. It was defender to defender as a pinpoint ball in from Elisha N’Dow found the head of Haigh, a fitting goalscorer given her recent form for The Villains. The right-back’s looping header beat Baggaley and nestled into the bottom corner of the net, cementing a crucial lead for the hosts going into the break.
Villa began the second half right where they left off as minutes in, Gregory forced a vital save from Baggaley who tipped the teenager’s powerful shot round the post.
Bristol City had their first shot on target of the game soon after but Lisa Weiss got down to smother the ball from a Charlie Wellings header.
The Robins looked a different side from the first period, keeping the ball a lot better and managing to build in attack but The Villains’ defence looked to be coping well with the increase in pressure.
Then finally in the 73rd minute, Bristol City got the reward their new-found pressure deserved as substitute Bryson got a goal back with her first touch of the game. It was a stunning volleyed effort from just inside the box, finding the top corner and giving Weiss no chance.
From there it was end to end, with Bristol City desperately searching for the all-important equaliser as Villa dug deep to try and hold on. The ball barely stood still for a second as the tempo went up yet another level and as the six minutes of additional time ticked by, it looked like Villa would cling on for the win.
However, with the final attack of the game, The Robins found the equaliser they had been desperately searching for. A rare mix up at the back from Villa allowed Mastrantonio’s free-kick to float all the way through into the back of the net as the Villa bench fell silent for the first time all game.
It is a result that will feel like a loss for the home side, who were seconds away from an invaluable three points. Bristol City certainly showed spirit to fight back and stay in the race for survival but they ultimately stay rooted to the bottom of the table with just two games to go.
Article author: Lauren Coffman
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