Bristol City Women

[Davefevs]

Villa winning in injury time (Daly), puts West Ham back down level with us.

[MattWSM]

5 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Personally I don’t think there is as much interest in women’s football (yet) as the relative media attention it receives would suggest. 

The Bristol City attendance is very good though considering the competition.

I would say its equivalent to non league pace and skill, national league south. Although I'm biast I think Weston would beat Man City women

[Eco]

7 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Who was it who ran through three brick walls to get the pass away?

Layzell

[phantom]

On 26/10/2023 at 16:08, phantom said:

I hadn't realised that this was only on the red button / iplayer 

[phantom]

18 hours ago, bcfc01 said:

City women currently 4th highest on 6,849.

Arsenal the outlier on 31,132.

Surprised at how low some of the bigger clubs attendances are;

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/womens-super-league/attendances

 

Interesting how our home attendances fluctuate depending on the "name" of opposition and their connection with "Lionesses" 

[Robbored]

18 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Personally I don’t think there is as much interest in women’s football (yet) as the relative media attention it receives would suggest. 

The Bristol City attendance is very good though considering the competition.

Absolutely spot on PF. 

Compared to mens football the limited coverage women’s football gets reflects the fans interest. I only ever watch women’s football when the Lionesses are live on tv and I couldn’t name one Bristol City woman player.

I am pleasantly surprised to see that BCFC women gets decent attendances tho.
 

[bcfc01]

46 minutes ago, phantom said:

Interesting how our home attendances fluctuate depending on the "name" of opposition and their connection with "Lionesses" 

Bit like the mens team having bigger attendances against Man. City etc.

Same as every team.

[phantom]

1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

Bit like the mens team having bigger attendances against Man. City etc.

Same as every team.

Who would that be, surely PL games are sell outs every week?

As our crowds already prove, this isn't the fact for us

[bcfc01]

1 minute ago, phantom said:

Who would that be, surely PL games are sell outs every week?

As our crowds already prove, this isn't the fact for us

Us v Man.City or Man.Utd.

Guaranteed sell outs.

[Portchy]

I have two tickets for Sundays game I’m looking to sell if anyone wants them or knows anyone who does.

[Cowshed]

19 hours ago, MattWSM said:

I would say its equivalent to non league pace and skill, national league south. Although I'm biast I think Weston would beat Man City women

A national league team would easily. A Western league would likewise. Good standard male U18 again .. Its not a fair equivalence.

Females cannot possess the pace and power of males, no amount of training will bridge that gap. 

Female football should be judged by the game that it is. Female football. 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Cowshed

[Davefevs]

12 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

Females cannot possess the pace and power of males, no amount of training will bridge that gap. 

Female football should be judged by the game that is. Female football. 

Amen.

[Lanterne Rouge]

Lauren Smith: Bristol City boss pleased with team's ability to score goals in WSL - BBC Sport

[shahanshahan]

On 20/11/2023 at 07:42, phantom said:

I hadn't realised that this was only on the red button / iplayer 

Me neither. I have just checked the BBC One/Two schedules & it is on neither channel. I hope other fans who want to watch the game on TV are also aware...

[shahanshahan]

Haven't been on OTIB since Sunday so only getting round to posting now. Disappointed that the supporters coach didn't go ahead but I said to myself I wanted to do all the WSL away games this season; and a few others wanted to go to Everton too. Walton Hall Park has a real RHPC feel to it; just a shame the weather wasn't so great! Everton fans have their own singing section, and had good banter. No mention of any 10 point deduction in singing (despite being tempted), but I did sing after our first goal "Your city is red, your city is red, just like Bristol, your city is red"

Good to equalise twice; a well-deserved point. Everton have some real tall players in their squad...

 

Edited November 21, 2023 by shahanshahan

[shahanshahan]

There's also this video which was filmed by a father & son duo who asked me to appear in it during half time. They both have (respective) connections to Liverpool & Swindon Town so it was hard for them (or at least the boy) to pick a side to win! Contains some camera angles & shots that were much better than the rain-drenched camera used for the FA Player coverage
 

 

[shahanshahan]

Brooke Aspin & Naomi Layzell selected for England U23 squad, alongside a fair few former City players

Abi Harrison, Jamie-Lee Napier & Amy Rodgers all selected for Scotland squad. Great to see Harrison back with Scotland, let's hope she doesn't get injured with them again!

 

[shahanshahan]

As expected, plenty of changes for tonight's Conti Cup game. Most first choice players are either on the bench or being rested ahead of Man Utd on Sunday.

Benedicte Haaland makes her first start in goal since returning to the club.

Aspin, Connolly, Jones the only starters from Sunday to retain their places.

Two academy players on the bench, including Manon Pearce.

KO 7.30pm. Game not being streamed live on FA Player, and is only available on SpursPlay; Spurs' streaming service which is subscription only.

I'm not at the game (one trip to Brisbane Road this season is enough for me), so will probably have to follow updates on Twitter like everyone else

[Eco]

19 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

There's also this video which was filmed by a father & son duo who asked me to appear in it during half time. They both have (respective) connections to Liverpool & Swindon Town so it was hard for them (or at least the boy) to pick a side to win! Contains some camera angles & shots that were much better than the rain-drenched camera used for the FA Player coverage
 

 

Layzell has been great this season, the assist for the 2nd equaliser v Everton was amazing.

[RedLionLad]

On 20/11/2023 at 08:17, Robbored said:

Absolutely spot on PF. 

Compared to mens football the limited coverage women’s football gets reflects the fans interest. I only ever watch women’s football when the Lionesses are live on tv and I couldn’t name one Bristol City woman player.

I am pleasantly surprised to see that BCFC women gets decent attendances tho.
 

Didn’t think you were interested. Was it the sex change that altered your view?

1 hour ago, shahanshahan said:

As expected, plenty of changes for tonight's Conti Cup game. Most first choice players are either on the bench or being rested ahead of Man Utd on Sunday.

Benedicte Haaland makes her first start in goal since returning to the club.

Aspin, Connolly, Jones the only starters from Sunday to retain their places.

Two academy players on the bench, including Manon Pearce.

KO 7.30pm. Game not being streamed live on FA Player, and is only available on SpursPlay; Spurs' streaming service which is subscription only.

I'm not at the game (one trip to Brisbane Road this season is enough for me), so will probably have to follow updates on Twitter like everyone else

2-0 down after 30 mins

[Shelton’s Love Gravy]

Thoroughly fisted once again .

[phantom]

After seeing the mistakes Utd made against City last weekend due to their high pressing, I really hope we don't set up with such a defensive line up again on Sunday

[ralphindevon]

On 21/11/2023 at 23:32, shahanshahan said:

There's also this video which was filmed by a father & son duo who asked me to appear in it during half time. They both have (respective) connections to Liverpool & Swindon Town so it was hard for them (or at least the boy) to pick a side to win! Contains some camera angles & shots that were much better than the rain-drenched camera used for the FA Player coverage
 

 

A great view of Amalie Thestrup nearly taking out teammate Naomi Layzell during her goal celebration 

[shahanshahan]

16 hours ago, RedLionLad said:

2-0 down after 30 mins

Finished 3-0 at full time. Out of the Conti Cup group with one game left to play (Reading at home in December). The other game in the group in this round is Southampton v Arsenal tonight, with a new record attendance to be set for a Saints Women game at St Mary's 

[shahanshahan]

Press conference took place today (club haven't released the audio yet), but other journalists have already posted about it. One was BBC's Emma Sanders, who posted about Rachel Furness' injury...

 

[SinéadB]

On 20/11/2023 at 13:17, Cowshed said:

A national league team would easily. A Western league would likewise. Good standard male U18 again .. Its not a fair equivalence.

Females cannot possess the pace and power of males, no amount of training will bridge that gap. 

Female football should be judged by the game that it is. Female football. 

This isn't actually true. Barcelona U19s played a few games years ago in pre season but and they lost, but now they beat them every season. Often by a few, I can't find some of these results but in 2020 they beat the U19s 7-0, and the women were missing a few key players. These games really help both teams, the women are much technically better, but the boys are faster and stronger so they both have to learn from their opponents in this regard. This has really helped Barca improve.

Arsenal have started doing this, as do Manchester City. The problem is the bad publicity just allows men to tell us that it's not 'real football' (I'm aware this isn't what you're doing here)

I don't know what level of mens football these teams would beat, but to say they have no chance of beating them is incorrect. It's a different skill and one that more womens teams are relishing in order to improve. 

[Cowshed]

3 minutes ago, SinéadB said:

This isn't actually true. Barcelona U19s played a few games years ago in pre season but and they lost, but now they beat them every season. Often by a few, I can't find some of these results but in 2020 they beat the U19s 7-0, and the women were missing a few key players. These games really help both teams, the women are much technically better, but the boys are faster and stronger so they both have to learn from their opponents in this regard. This has really helped Barca improve.

Arsenal have started doing this, as do Manchester City. The problem is the bad publicity just allows men to tell us that it's not 'real football' (I'm aware this isn't what you're doing here)

I don't know what level of mens football these teams would beat, but to say they have no chance of beating them is incorrect. It's a different skill and one that more womens teams are relishing in order to improve. 

I didn't state there's no chance, there is always a chance. I could post a list of games where adult female teams have done very badly versus U teams. My Sons former U15 development centre side beat a female WNL team, U15 males bullied adult females while holding back physically for fear of injuring their opponents. 

I coach primarily males, and I have coached females the differences in physical capability from strength, speed and abc's are stark. I would support and have been involved in females playing with males till U14. Past that age there is a safety and safeguarding issue. It maybe be ok for adult females to play non competitive football, to participate in light training with adult males, it is not safe and it  is utterly foolhardy for adult females to play in competitive games and intense training involving contact against adults of the opposite sex. Females simply cannot physically complete. Males physically destroy females in football, if they desire. I in my advancing years can dominate high level adult (I have coached them) females physically, I would not even take part in SSG's because the risk of injuring a player is so high. 

A Lucy Bronze is a wonderful female player. In the male game she would be slow, lacking power, and small in stature. That is the Lucy Bronze that scores headers at corners for England Ladies at the elite of the elite level .. She would be physically bullied in the male game. 

Hence I state female football should be judged and admired as the female game it is. 

[SinéadB]

2 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

I didn't state there's no chance, there is always a chance. I could post a list of games where adult female teams have done very badly versus U teams. My Sons former U15 development centre side beat a female WNL team, U15 males bullied adult females while holding back physically for fear of injuring their opponents. 

I coach primarily males, and I have coached females the differences in physical capability from strength, speed and abc's are stark. I would support and have been involved in females playing with males till U14. Past that age there is a safety and safeguarding issue. It maybe be ok for adult females to play non competitive football, to participate in light training with adult males, it is not safe and it  is utterly foolhardy for adult females to play in competitive games and intense training involving contact against adults of the opposite sex. Females simply cannot physically complete. Males physically destroy females in football, if they desire. I in my advancing years can dominate high level adult (I have coached them) females physically, I would not even take part in SSG's because the risk of injuring a player is so high. 

A Lucy Bronze is a wonderful female player. In the male game she would be slow, lacking power, and small in stature. That is the Lucy Bronze that scores headers at corners for England Ladies at the elite of the elite level .. She would be physically bullied in the male game. 

Hence I state female football should be judged and admired as the female game it is. 

Lucy Bronze plays for a team that plays against Barcelona U19 boys frequently and they always win now (after losing when they started playing against them). And Chelsea beat the U18s in the summer, without some of Chelseas best players as they were coming back from the WWC). 

I'm not denying there is a physical advantage for men vs women, but I'm just stating that womens teams play against elite academies and start to win after they play them a few times.

"My Sons former U15 development centre side beat a female WNL team, U15 males bullied adult females while holding back physically for fear of injuring their opponents." - I don't doubt this, but as women play more against men, they actually improve and then start to help the boys. This has been proven at clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea.. 

[Cowshed]

30 minutes ago, SinéadB said:

Lucy Bronze plays for a team that plays against Barcelona U19 boys frequently and they always win now (after losing when they started playing against them). And Chelsea beat the U18s in the summer, without some of Chelseas best players as they were coming back from the WWC). 

 

Its thread about Bristol City WSL. I do not think Mickey Bell would allow it here. It is dangerous. 

[shahanshahan]

55 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

Its thread about Bristol City WSL. I do not think Mickey Bell would allow it here. It is dangerous. 

You highlight what the thread should be about then mention someone that has nothing to do with the subject. Either there's a joke in there somewhere or you're trying to prove some some sort of point that hasn't translated well. @SinéadB was just trying to reply to your original comment

[shahanshahan]

16 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Press conference took place today (club haven't released the audio yet), but other journalists have already posted about it. One was BBC's Emma Sanders, who posted about Rachel Furness' injury...

Now available. At over 20 mins long, this is probably the longest out of the lot that's been released so far...

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/smiths-manchester-united-presser/

[Cowshed]

2 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

You highlight what the thread should be about then mention someone that has nothing to do with the subject. Either there's a joke in there somewhere or you're trying to prove some some sort of point that hasn't translated well. @SinéadB was just trying to reply to your original comment

Sorry, but you need to read my post again in context. If Bristol City ladies played v male Bristol City players at 19, players of that age are  in the professional development phase Mickey Bell oversees. 

 

[phantom]

Good to see Mary Earps attending yet another awards ceremony this evening, this time vogue awards 

I can't believe this is the best preparation for Sundays game 

 

 

[shahanshahan]

22 hours ago, phantom said:

Good to see Mary Earps attending yet another awards ceremony this evening, this time vogue awards 

I can't believe this is the best preparation for Sundays game 

I was on a Man Utd fan show on Friday night giving a Bristol City perspective.

Earps was discussed, with some of United's fanbase looking like they'd rather have their new goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce start (and who has impressed for them in the Conti Cup). Also not happy that Earps hasn't signed a new contract with United (she's out of contract this season), and they think she'll leave in January, or in the summer

 

[shahanshahan]

Myself, D-M & other supporters have been working on getting a songbook done. We've had songs for years, but never got a songbook made.

Physical copies should be available tomorrow, but people can download theirs now

Link to download

 

[1960maaan]

When do the teams coaches turn up before a game. 
My niece is in town and want to see the Man U team arrive, she's a big Mary Earps fan.

Kick off at 12:30, so I guess they will arrive about an hour before, anyone know the usual timing ?

Cheers inadvance

[Silvio Dante]

16 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

When do the teams coaches turn up before a game. 
My niece is in town and want to see the Man U team arrive, she's a big Mary Earps fan.

Kick off at 12:30, so I guess they will arrive about an hour before, anyone know the usual timing ?

Cheers inadvance

I asked Mary. She didn’t seem to want to help.

[astrondrew]

Usually 90 minutes before kick off.

[shahanshahan]

Unchanged starting XI from last Sunday.

KO 12.30, live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Radio Bristol

[old_eastender]

Surprised Liv Clark plays again in goal, she was so weak dealing with high balls. Maybe Haaland did not impress against Spurs.

[old_eastender]

Aspin stretchered off, Mustaki on to replace her. 0-0 half-way thru 1st half, Liz Clark has made a couple of decent shot saves.

[Port Said Red]

52 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

Surprised Liv Clark plays again in goal, she was so weak dealing with high balls. Maybe Haaland did not impress against Spurs.

Made some great saves so far. Gradually getting into the game now, but it's almost like watching an F A Cup match between clubs in different divisions at times.

[Port Said Red]

Great save by Earp's. 

[old_eastender]

HT 0-0. Man.U as expected had majority of play. Liv Clark made 3 decent saves from shots. One chance fashioned for us when good Rodgers header saved well by Earps. 

[Midlands Robin]

Set up as we are with a 5-4-1 it's definately been all about keeping United out and picking up what we can afterwards.

Agree with the above comment that the gulf in ability between the two sides has looked quite big at times.

We've grown in to the game and looked a lot more comfortable on the ball in the last ten minutes but the scoreline is mostly due to a couple of great saves.

Two things that are frustrating to see are the lack of width from the two wide midfielders, particularly Threstrup down the left who has missed several opportunities to stretch the United defence. Secondly, the quality of pass has not been great, we seem to give the ball away far to often with a rushed pass or a wild long ball to no where.

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Midlands Robin

[The Nest Egg]

Bloody hell, its Gavin Marshall! Didn't even know what he looked like 

[Peter1450]

2 minutes ago, The Nest Egg said:

Bloody hell, its Gavin Marshall! Didn't even know what he looked like 

Basically said that the “group” won’t invest in the women’s team, not going to make any progress in the WSL without major backing. 
     Almost looks like he’s related to JL :laugh:

[The Bard]

About to say we'd started 2nd half well then that happened...

[old_eastender]

0-1 unlucky deflection leaves Clark diving the wrong way. 

[Port Said Red]

Is there a case for redesigning the women's shirts? I know how this sounds but I can't read half the names on the shirts because of the proliferation of ponytails.

Edited November 26, 2023 by Port Said Red

[old_eastender]

game over 0-2 Parish left unmarked to nod in.

[Port Said Red]

Just now, old_eastender said:

game over 0-2 Parish left unmarked to nod in.

Yes that was poor defending all round 

[petehinton]

On 24/11/2023 at 21:18, phantom said:

Good to see Mary Earps attending yet another awards ceremony this evening, this time vogue awards 

I can't believe this is the best preparation for Sundays game 

 

 

Hasn’t done her any harm tbf!

[Sleepy1968]

15 minutes ago, Peter1450 said:

Basically said that the “group” won’t invest in the women’s team, not going to make any progress in the WSL without major backing. 
     Almost looks like he’s related to JL

No reason Bristol couldn't support a successful women's team, and I'm sure there would have been takers if SL tried selling it off in the summer.

Letting it go pot like this, and chance finishing one off the bottom is not a way to run a club.

[Port Said Red]

1 minute ago, Sleepy1968 said:

No reason Bristol couldn't support a successful women's team, and I'm sure there would have been takers if SL tried selling it off in the summer.

Letting it go pot like this, and chance finishing one off the bottom is not a way to run a club.

Almost every other team in the Super League are affiliated to a Premier League club (Leicester City might as well be). That means they can use the TV money to supplement the Women's team. We don't have that luxury, and presumably would only be able to afford to compete by siphoning off money from the men's team. I am sure that would be a very unpopular thing to do.

[old_eastender]

5 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Almost every other team in the Super League are affiliated to a Premier League club (Leicester City might as well be). That means they can use the TV money to supplement the Women's team. We don't have that luxury, and presumably would only be able to afford to compete by siphoning off money from the men's team. I am sure that would be a very unpopular thing to do.

The money needed to invest in the Women's team is peanuts compared to the Men's. With the women's game becoming more popular all the time, it would be VERY short sighted of the club not to let them strengthen the side with a couple of signings in Jan to help them stay in the WSL.

[The Bard]

City could really do with a left footer or 2.  

[Port Said Red]

Over 14k, the Gas can only dream of getting those sort of figures. Two teams in Bristol. City and City Women.

[old_eastender]

FT 0-2. Good battling performance from start to finish, could have folded after conceding 2 goals in 5 mins at start of second half (including really unlucky deflection for the first), but credit to them that they didn't.

100% need to strengthen in the Jan window, but with a couple of additions they could stay up this season and then build from that.

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by old_eastender

[Super]

Let's be honest that's as good a result as could be expected.

[GrahamC]

10 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

FT 0-2. Good battling performance from start to finish, could have folded after conceding 2 goals in 5 mins at start of second half (including really unlucky deflection for the first), but credit to them that they didn't.

100% need to strengthen in the Jan window, but with a couple of additions they could stay up this season and then build from that.

 

100%.

Only saw the last 15 minutes or so but did well.

Obvious difference in resources but absolutely no lack of determination or skill.

Let’s hope they can finish above another club in the mini league at the bottom.
 

[One Team]

22 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

The money needed to invest in the Women's team is peanuts compared to the Men's. With the women's game becoming more popular all the time, it would be VERY short sighted of the club not to let them strengthen the side with a couple of signings in Jan to help them stay in the WSL.

Agreed. I think it’s been pretty disrespectful how the players that got promotion have been treated as well. They were on ridiculously low wages last season and still way, way off now. 

22 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Over 14k, the Gas can only dream of getting those sort of figures. Two teams in Bristol. City and City Women.

Incredible support! Twice a normal Gas home game!

[ralphindevon]

A second appearance at AG for Alex Scott today.

Only this time, looking at his Instagram, he seemed to be supporting Man Utd or at least his friend Maya Le Tissier.

[petehinton]

14,000+, wow. Incredible. And to think, that would’ve been pretty consistently be seen as a good crowd for us back in the ‘old’ AG, league one days. 
 

Absolutely amazing how far the womens game has come, up and down the country. Long may that continue!

[Full nelson]

Aspin left in a knee brace and on crutches. 

 

3 or 4 players needed in transfer window. Hopefully a few with some pace.

[miser]

Only 2 games until the transfer window. Hopefully several signings to bolster the squad. We then have 5 or 6 games against the weaker teams. Will be the deciding stretch as the end of season run in is horrible.

[Peter1450]

1 hour ago, petehinton said:

14,000+, wow. Incredible. And to think, that would’ve been pretty consistently be seen as a good crowd for us back in the ‘old’ AG, league one days. 
 

Absolutely amazing how far the womens game has come, up and down the country. Long may that continue!

It’s fantastic support but the youngsters who go with their families will soon tire of getting beat every game when realistically they have no chance of being competitive. 
    Be like Jon’s top six squad getting to the premier league.

[Erithacus]

The main thing I'll take away today is the feeling that this team is slowly starting to get to grips with the system Lauren Smith has put in place and that they are up to WSL level. It's taken a little longer than desired but it is becoming the standard we need now. For the first half we kept United at bay and were more than up for a tussle. It was in no way the battering that some were whispering - and I think this will be the way forwards from here on.

It was somewhat of a shock to see the Dolman Stand so full (more so than the previous day?), as well as a smattering of fans in the South Stand. I imagine United brought quite a few but it is clear that Bristol has more Lioness fans than City fans.

No surprise to see a 5-4-1 out formation, but the burden really fell on the midfield once again. Without Furness, I did wonder how we would cope with the jewellery of United's international set, but I was encouraged to see the way the players were focussed on the gameplan and applied themselves so strongly. No-one was starstruck; everyone got stuck in. Some superstars didn't get the sort of reception they thought they would. More, please!

Liv CLark in goal has attracted some criticism lately but I thought she had a much improved game and was blameless for the two conceded. Her shot-stopping was first rate and frustrated the attacks well. Defensively, we worked well as a back 5 and the central defenders were usually in control of things. With the few chances that United did fashion, there were solid blocks and tight marking across the line. Considering the array of talent up against them, our girls showed no fear. Meg Connolly organised thoroughly, but the second-minute injury to Brooke Aspin was a big worry. Despite treatment the problem only got worse and she had to be stretchered off eventually. Hopefully it's not a serious knock. Chloe Mustaki came into the left of the line, with Layzell switching over to right. Even with the reshuffle, the defence stayed pretty solid.

In the middle of the park Napier, Rodgers and Morgan grafted hard all game, often in a defensive mode but were also able to stride forwards on the odd occasion and City created worthwhile attacks of their own. Although those chances were limited United weren't having it all their own way by any means. Abi Harrison started out wide left but soon came more into the middle to offer an outlet, as well as prompting play forwards. Thestrup was at times a lone figure but with Harrison linking up more as the game went on we looked a threat that meant United could not relax. Carrie Jones was always in the thick of things, often outshoning her more illustrious opponents and I'd give her the top rating today. The ongoing battle between Ella Toone and Jamie-Lee Napier was absorbing.

However, the bottom line is: we lost. A results business and all that. But there is a lot of mitigation, as we have matched one of Europe's top clubs and gavin them a game. More importantly, we showed more of what we are capable of and the team shows signs of improvement. Considering the absence of players like Furness, Murray, Hayles and so on, it was a gritty and determined performance today. If we can keep this momentum and build on it we will give ourselves more than a hope of survival this season. All in all, it was a heartening display from the Robins.

[22A]

2 hours ago, One Team said:

Incredible support! Twice a normal Gas home game!

That's not saying much.

[Sarumred]

17 minutes ago, Erithacus said:

The main thing I'll take away today is the feeling that this team is slowly starting to get to grips with the system Lauren Smith has put in place and that they are up to WSL level. It's taken a little longer than desired but it is becoming the standard we need now. For the first half we kept United at bay and were more than up for a tussle. It was in no way the battering that some were whispering - and I think this will be the way forwards from here on.

It was somewhat of a shock to see the Dolman Stand so full (more so than the previous day?), as well as a smattering of fans in the South Stand. I imagine United brought quite a few but it is clear that Bristol has more Lioness fans than City fans.

No surprise to see a 5-4-1 out formation, but the burden really fell on the midfield once again. Without Furness, I did wonder how we would cope with the jewellery of United's international set, but I was encouraged to see the way the players were focussed on the gameplan and applied themselves so strongly. No-one was starstruck; everyone got stuck in. Some superstars didn't get the sort of reception they thought they would. More, please!

Liv CLark in goal has attracted some criticism lately but I thought she had a much improved game and was blameless for the two conceded. Her shot-stopping was first rate and frustrated the attacks well. Defensively, we worked well as a back 5 and the central defenders were usually in control of things. With the few chances that United did fashion, there were solid blocks and tight marking across the line. Considering the array of talent up against them, our girls showed no fear. Meg Connolly organised thoroughly, but the second-minute injury to Brooke Aspin was a big worry. Despite treatment the problem only got worse and she had to be stretchered off eventually. Hopefully it's not a serious knock. Chloe Mustaki came into the left of the line, with Layzell switching over to right. Even with the reshuffle, the defence stayed pretty solid.

In the middle of the park Napier, Rodgers and Morgan grafted hard all game, often in a defensive mode but were also able to stride forwards on the odd occasion and City created worthwhile attacks of their own. Although those chances were limited United weren't having it all their own way by any means. Abi Harrison started out wide left but soon came more into the middle to offer an outlet, as well as prompting play forwards. Thestrup was at times a lone figure but with Harrison linking up more as the game went on we looked a threat that meant United could not relax. Carrie Jones was always in the thick of things, often outshoning her more illustrious opponents and I'd give her the top rating today. The ongoing battle between Ella Toone and Jamie-Lee Napier was absorbing.

However, the bottom line is: we lost. A results business and all that. But there is a lot of mitigation, as we have matched one of Europe's top clubs and gavin them a game. More importantly, we showed more of what we are capable of and the team shows signs of improvement. Considering the absence of players like Furness, Murray, Hayles and so on, it was a gritty and determined performance today. If we can keep this momentum and build on it we will give ourselves more than a hope of survival this season. All in all, it was a heartening display from the Robins.

Good summary. I think the other thing we have to bear in mind is that our squad is very young and largely inexperienced at this level.