The late draw saw Bristol City Women come from behind to score two crucial points against Aston Villa in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League survival campaign.
Substitutes Faye Bryson and Ella Mastrantonio scored the most important goals in the second half. To complete their late return to the West Midlands where the Robins sit down in the league. But one point now separates City from ninth place.
The City was brutally left behind within the first three minutes. When Sophie Baggaley‘s save fell to Meaghan Sargeant and behind the net.
Freya Gregory got the ball to the left after Villa stepped forward. And a deep cross of the midfielder was met by Shania Hayles whose head was gloriously saved by Baggaley.
But unfortunately for the Robins, the save fell to Sargeant’s body and net.
Although the early return was ultimately a good start from City. And Yana Daniels had a good chance to equalize the game.
As she jumped at the chance to meet Jemma Purfield’s free-kick. But her header that looked fell just next to the post.
The next great opportunity fell to Villa when Asmita Ale’s cross was met by a high header from Stine Larsen. Yet her head was directed at inches wide.
A strong start from both sides continued with energy levels that were about to decline. Salmon tried her luck at a distance.
When she bounced forward surrounded by Villa players and chose to shoot. But her attempt to bend did not bend enough to get the top corner.
The home side then won twice with Natalie Haigh’s connecting head.
Alisha N’dow sent a long ball into the box from the center after the Villains’ first corner was cleared. And N’dow’s pass was met by her back-to-back Haigh with her head over Baggaley sitting in the lower corner.
Charlie Wellings had a moment of great pride when he tried his luck with a high kick. But the effort was broadcast for a very long time. And she jumped over the middle of the cross.
Robins continued their quest for a goal as the break came when Salmon met Kiera Skeels crossing her head on the edge of the box. Yet it was easily held by Lisa Weiss as the first 45 minutes ended.
Aston Villa started the second half with the goal of scoring goals as the first. And almost caught the third when Gregory fired the first hard shot into the corner of the box. But Baggaley quickly dropped and pushed a wide effort into the corner.
A good pass from the Villains was almost completed by Chloe Arthur. When she took a goal from 30 yards out and hit the top of the cross.
The Robins came back with a goal with a fine finish.
After a few moments, the Robins came back with a goal with a fine finish to Faye Bryson.
Purfield hit a low cross-holding Abi Harrison holding the ball in the way of one of Bryson’s substitutes. While the full-back caught his half-volley on the edge of the box. As she flew into the top left corner to revive the belief throughout the squad.
Both teams continued to search for the goal knowing it would decide on the outcome of the match. And in fine scenes, participant Ella Mastrantonio saw her freekick around 35 meters find the equalizer.
The Australian midfielder sent a deep free-kick into the box after Salmon lost in a counter-attack. And Villa’s defenders could not clear the confusing ‘goalkeeper’ as the ball ended up in the net.
Villa threw the corpses forward and time was running out. But it was too late when the full-time whistle blew.
Moment of the match
With six minutes added and there was only one goal that separated both sides. The pressure was on to get the next most important goal.
After being suspended from the fight, Salmon was brought down after a good catch. Allowing the Robins to throw everyone forward with the remaining minute of the suspension.
Mastrantonio’s substitute took a free-kick, and the midfielder sent a deep floating ball into the box.
The ball was hanging in the air and the Aston Villa defenders could not reach the free-kick as it headed straight into the empty part of the net.
And there were exciting scenes on the field and the fence as Mastrantonio’s game ended up hitting the line.
Player of the match
The stomach fight continued from the first whistle to the end today. And Pike’s powerful and annoying sign saw him rise above everyone else.
Loanee has been showing her class since she arrived in January. And has been all over the place in the afternoon not just doing the job.
By making important and trivial challenges. But her passing and vision helped control game time in favor of City if necessary.
The donation from Pike in the middle of the park played a major role in what was a significant result before the last two games of the season.
