Report: Bristol City Women 2-1 Millwall Lionesses

There was late drama in the first half as Millie Farrow smashed the hosts in front only for Millwall to restore parity seconds after the restart through Ashlee Hincks cross-cum-shot.

The Vixens continued their dominance in the second half and Emslie proved the match winner in the 57th minute, lifting the ball over the sprawled body of visiting keeper Sarah Quantrill.

City were looking to bounce back from their disappointing exit from the Continental Cup in midweek and made a bright start to the tie.

The ever-tenacious Farrow caused the Millwall backline to chase their tails on numerous occasions but couldn’t quite find a clear view of goal.

Despite City’s superiority, Millwall almost created the game’s first goal on a rare burst into the opposition’s half.

Rinsola Babajide jinked her way down the left to the byeline and pulled back for Bonnie Horwood. The midfielder’s effort looked to have beaten Caitlin Leach and needed an excellent block from Jodie Brett to keep the match goalless.

Captain Brett’s commanding presence in midfield allowed youngster Charlie Estcourt to maraud forward in an attempt to conjure an opening, however Millwall were proving a stubborn team to breakdown.

Rarely troubled in the first 30 minutes, City nearly suffered from complacency as a high press from Millwall led to Reid needing to handle a backpass from Brett.

The referee awarded an indirect free kick which in turn was powerfully hit into the wall by Hinck and out of play.

The mishap seemed to kick City into gear once more as Chloe Arthur came in off the right to fire over.

Arthur was beginning to come into her own and played a major part in the first goal of the game. The right midfielder skipped down the wing and fed Brett in the box, who unselfishly laid the ball to Farrow to hammer home from 12 yards.

The expectation was for the Vixens to pursue more goals before the break and that was undone under a minute later as Millwall equalised.

Hincks received the ball on the touchline and crossed in search of a white shirt but instead found the back of the net much to the misfortune of Leach who should have had a routine catch.

A quieter second half followed with Willie Kirk’s side persisting to control proceedings and got what they warranted just shy of the hour mark.

Chelsea loanee Farrow turned neatly 20 yards out and her slide-rule pass was collected by Emslie who finished with aplomb, dinking over Quantrill.

City may have had the demons of the last-gasp equaliser they conceded against Aston Villa firmly in their minds going into the closing stages, however they played keep ball and saw the game out with ease.