Bristol City boss Charlotte Healy reveals frustration after Sophie Ingle’s red card is overturned | OneFootball

Sophie Ingle (pictured for Wales) was sent off for Bristol City against Nottingham Forest. Photo credit: David Davies PA Wire

Bristol City head coach Charlotte Healy has expressed her disappointment after the red card shown to Sophie Ingle against Nottingham Forest was rescinded.

Healy’s side were 1-0 up when Ingle was sent off just before half-time, after she was adjudged to have pulled Deanne Rose’s hair.

The decision left everyone in the stadium confused and Bristol have now confirmed via their social media channels that their appeal has been successful and the red card was overturned.

It is too little, too late, for Healy, who feels as though the decision cost her side a vital three points in the Women’s Super League 2 meeting.

Charlotte Healy vents frustration on Sophie Ingle red card

Ahead of Bristol City’s clash with Durham on Sunday, Charlotte Healy revealed the club’s frustration at Sophie Ingle wrongly being shown a red card.

She told the media: “Having it rescinded just tells us what everyone knew. Every single person in the stadium knew that it wasn’t a red card, so it’s good to have her back, of course, but it doesn’t give us the three points back, and I think every person in that stadium will tell you that if we had 11 on that pitch, we’d have won that game.

“It’s good to have her back, of course, but ultimately, we need points, and to have those taken away from us at the weekend is disappointing because we don’t get them back.”

Bristol City had taken the lead through Camila Saez, before Ingle was sent off on the 43-minute mark.

Freya Thomas equalised for Forest after 76 minutes, before Fran Bentley put the ball in the back of her own net three minutes later.

Healy said: “To be honest, we’ve not had an apology, but even if we did, like I say, it doesn’t give you the points back. If we miss out on promotion by three points or Sunderland miss out by two points because of the goal that they conceded that was given, then getting a player back for the weekend doesn’t really cut it. It’s disappointing, and we are really frustrated by it for sure.”

Where the defeat to Nottingham Forest leaves Bristol City

Bristol City are fifth in the WSL 2 with two wins and two defeats from their opening four games.

If they had beaten Forest, they would be sitting in third, one point behind table-topping Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic.

This season, the top two teams get promoted the expanded WSL for the 2026-27 season. Whoever finishes third, will face a playoff against the side that is bottom of the WSL to determine who plays in the top-flight next year.