City Women Suffer Late Cup Heartbreak

Willie Kirk’s side gave their all in front of a bumper crowd at Stoke Gifford Stadium, but Manchester City’s persistence paid off through Nikita Parris’ 89th-minute winner.

The visitors had led through an unfortunate Hayley Ladd own goal as early as the seventh minute, but Claire Emslie levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Fresh from their Champions League exploits in Denmark, the Citizens made six changes to their starting XI, although it didn’t prevent them from making the dream start in Filton.

City keeper Caitlin Leach attempted to punch away a dangerous cross from Lucy Bronze and watched as the ball cannoned against her captain Ladd, before ricocheting over the goal-line.

Visiting keeper Marie Hourihan then saved brilliantly from Millie Turner's downward header from a set-piece, before Toni Duggan, Parris and Georgia Stanway missed chances to extend the visitors' lead at the other end.

City drew level in first-half stoppage time as Scotland forward Emslie broke free from the Manchester City defence and produced a smart finish at the second attempt from an acute angle.

Leach denied World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd in a one-on-one situation, before a wayward shot from the American as the league champions went in search of victory.

City looked to have done enough to force extra time, but then Parris rolled her marker and squeezed home the winner.

City Women: Leach, Alexander, Matthews (Woodham), Arthur, Ladd, Farrow, Emslie, Brett, Brown, Turner, Evans (Fergusson). Subs not used: Randall, Agg, Jones.

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