Jess Woolley netted the only goal as Bristol City recorded a 1-0 victory over Coventry United at the Butts Park Arena this afternoon.
In the penultimate fixture of the opening weekend in the Barclays Women’s Championship, Woolley struck the winner for Bristol City in the 48th minute as Lauren Smith’s side started the new campaign with three points.
The fixture paired two sides with very different ambitions going into the new season. Bristol City will be expected to fight at the top of the table and push for promotion back to the Barclays Women’s Super League while Coventry United are lucky to still exist following their financial troubles last campaign, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season. If The Red and Greens are able to maintain their Barclays Women’s Championship status for another year, it will be viewed as a success.
Bristol City started well and looked certain to take the lead when a mix-up at the back between Alanah Mann and goalkeeper Jodie Whiteman allowed Jodie Hutton to pounce on the loose ball. The young forward struck a shot from six yards but was somehow denied by a superb save from Whiteman as she made amends for the earlier calamity.
The Coventry United keeper was called into action once again when a snap-shot from Abi Harrison looked to catch Whiteman out but she reacted well to get down low to her right and palm the ball away.
Bristol City were well on top for the majority of the opening period but couldn’t make it count and the teams went in at half-time goalless.
That didn’t last long, however, as the away side found the breakthrough just three minutes after the restart. A neat reverse pass from Harrison with the outside of her right boot put Woolley through on goal and she lifted the ball over the onrushing Whiteman.
Bristol City continued to push forward as Coventry United struggled to create anything clear cut. Yet, some strong performances from Whiteman and Mann kept the hosts game. In the end, neither side were able to add to the scoreline and the match finished 1-0 to Bristol City as they began their push for promotion with all three points.
Next up for Coventry United is a trip to Crystal Palace while Bristol City will face Blackburn Rovers at home.
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