Taking flight to watch Newcastle United Women’s team but the Robins swoop to take the points | OneFootball

It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for Newcastle United Women’s team on Sunday, as they followed up their excellent victory at Birmingham the previous week, with a frustrating defeat away to Bristol City.

The Robins won promotion from the Barclay’s Women’s Championship two seasons ago but having come straight back down from the Women’s Super League, were perhaps always going to pose a tougher challenge than most.

Despite the men’s team being in action away to Nottingham Forest, there was still a decent number of travelling supporters who made the journey down to Ashton Gate, with many of them flying from Newcastle Airport.

There was plenty of home support too with the attendance announced as being 2,516.

Becky Langley named an unchanged starting XI to the one that won at St. Andrews, though with Amber Keegan-Stobbs coming onto the bench having served her suspension last weekend.

Newcastle had the first opportunity of the game 8 minutes in, when Lois Joel fired wide from a smart Shania Hayles cut back.

However, there was an equally positive start from Bristol City. Amy Rodgers was quick to try her luck from range but it turned into a comfortable save for Claudia Moan in the Newcastle goal. Soon after Jesse Woolley got in down the right and saw her cross turned behind for a corner. Her delivery from a short routine saw Chloe Mustaki head wide of the goal.

The Robins were continuing to apply the pressure with Jamie-Lee Napier at the heart of what they were doing well. A cross from Wales international Ffion Morgan almost found her, but Moan did well to push the ball away from danger. Followed a minute later by her whipped cross, which looked destined to find Woolley in front of goal, but Charlotte Potts headed away for a corner.

Midway through the half, Beth Lumsden was starting to pose the home defence problems. First Jas McQuade found her on the left but her effort went across goal and wide. Before she tried her luck with a free kick from 30 yards out, a couple of minutes later. It had City goalie Fran Bentley scrambling across her goal but ended wide of the post.

Frustratingly, Bristol took the lead on the stroke of half time. Emily Syme was able to dig out a cross into the area for youngster Mari Ward to turn it home in the second minute of stoppage time.

Bristol City then made the perfect start to the second half when they doubled their advantage two minutes in. The lightning quick Napier sent a dangerous cross in, which Moan palmed away, but it fell perfectly to Lexi Lloyd-Smith who was able to steer the ball home into an empty net.

Thereafter it proved difficult for the Lady Mags to get a foothold in the game. Good defending from the home side saw them restrict Newcastle’s chances as they searched for a way back into it.

Bristol’s Danish defender Sille Struck was sent off for a second booking with around 10 minutes to go, which did present a chance for them to have a late push. Their best chance came when Demi Stokes teed up Stobbs for a shot from the edge of the area but Bentley was able to comfortably save.

It was perhaps difficult to begrudge Bristol the three points. They were a strong side, that were well drilled, with impressive support too. Mari Ward was their best player on the day with Ffion Morgan and Lexi Lloyd-Smith also having decent games.

Newcastle United Women’s team are back in action this coming Sunday when they host Southampton at St. James Park (buy tickets online HERE).

Final score: Bristol City 2 Newcastle United 0

Newcastle United Women’s team:

Claudia Moan, Liv Watt (Isabella Sibley 60), Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Potts, Demi Stokes, Elysia Boddy, Lois Joel (Emma Kelly 68), Jasmine McQuade (Amber Keegan Stobbs 46), Amy Andrews (Katie Barker 77), Shania Hayles (Sophie Haywood 77), Beth Lumsden.

Grace Donnelly, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson, Hannah Greenwood,.

Bristol City Women’s team:

Fran Bentley, Harley Bennett, Sille Struck, Chloe Mustaki (Amalie Thestrup 72), Mari Ward (Ella Powell 72), Emily Syme, Amy Rodgers, Jesse Woolley (Libby Bance 31), Jamie-Lee Napier, Ffion Morgan (Abi Harrison 83), Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Greta Humphries 83).