Women Beaten In Season Opener

The game was played in front of a 1,127-strong crowd in BS3, straight after the men's team had beaten Barnsley 3-2.

However, three goals in 12 minutes after half-time meant Willie Kirk's side began the campaign with a loss.

Rachel Furness' header, Rachel Rowe's low strike and Melissa Fletcher's tap-in did the damage soon after half-time.

Lauren Hemp tucked in a consolation for the hosts on 73 minutes, but it proved no more than a consolation for last season's WSL2 runners-up.

Boss Kirk said “I thought the performance was very positive and doesn’t reflect the scoreline. Today was a big learning curve and we can use that heading into our next game.”

City Women: Leach, Allen, Ladd, Matthews (Palmer 69), Alexander (Woodham 84), Arthur, Turner, Brett, Fergusson, Hemp, Esmlie. Subs not used: Dykes, Watson, Agg, Brown, Syme.

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