Report: Bristol City Women 1-2 West Ham United

What Happened?

West Ham United started the brighter of the two sides with their best opportunity of the opening period falling to, Leanne Kiernan, who tried to get onto the end of Jane Ross’ teasing cross, but the bright midfielder couldn’t get enough contact on the ball to divert it on target.

Brianna Visalli had the best chance for the hosts on the half hour mark as she flicked Keirnan’s cross on target, forcing Sophie Baggaley to get down quickly to her left to keep the ball out.

City Women grew into the game and their best chances came towards the end of the half, first, Carla Humphrey tried to catch Becky Spencer off her line from twenty-five yards but unfortunately her effort floated inches over the bar.

The hosts’ next best opportunity came when Lucy Graham rose highest to connect with Poppy Pattinson’s in-swinging corner, unfortunately her header was saved by Spencer.

Bristol City Women broke the deadlock in the 56th minute as Abi Harrison raced onto Lucy Graham’s through ball before picking out substitute, Heather Payne in the six-yard box who tucked the ball into the back of the net.

West Ham United responded with 15 minutes left to play as Leanne Kiernan picked up the ball on the edge of the area, turned on a six-pence and fired the ball into the bottom corner to bring her side level.

Both teams pressed for a winner and it was the visitors who prevailed in the ninetieth minute as Jane Ross got on to the end of Brianna Visalli’s searching ball to nod past Baggaley and secure all three points for West Ham United.

Teams:

Bristol City Women: Baggaley, Allen, Evans, Brown, Pattinson, Humphrey, Biesmans, Rutherford (Robinson 85’), Graham, Ayane (Payne 56’), Harrison

Subs: Cumings, Kerkdijk, Wilson, Woolley

West Ham United: Spencer, Percival, Simon, Hendrix, Lehmann, Keirnan (Kmita 81), Ross, (C), Rafferty, Sampson, Visalli, Leon

Subs: Flaherty

Key moment:

The closing stages of the game saw both sides fighting for a winner and it was West Ham that came out on top.

Brianna Visalli won the ball on the right and managed to whip a ball into the near post where, Jane Ross had beat her marker to head the ball into the back of the net.

Lethal.

Player of the match:

Gemma Evans was solid at the back for City Women and made timely challenges to keep her side in the game, but the player of the match accolade goes to Abi Harrison.

The forward worked tirelessly all afternoon and was tenacious in her pursuit of the ball. She wanted to make things happen for her side and looked most dangerous when in possession.

Harrison’s perfectly weighted ball into the box was met by Heather Payne to give Bristol City Women the lead.

Hustler.

Photo of the match: