Bristol City Women

[1960maaan]

Well they may go down, they may well lose a lot of games , but it won't be through lack of effort.
Man U were clearly a level above , the control , passing and movement was much better for a lot of the game, but they can count themselves unlucky.
The keeper had a great game and it took a wicked deflection to finally beat her. The second was a good cross and header which chasing across the line she couldn't quite get to. They had a few chances, tested Earpes with a header and a few other situations that more control and a calm head might have lead to more.
Have to say there was some dodgy reffing , the worst being when City had a good break and got in behind the full back with Man U all over the place. Then the Ref stopped the game as a Man U player rubbed her head implying contact. She didn't go down , I didn't even notice it. No trainer or anything and the Ref restarted with Man U back in position and the ball went straight out as the ball was dropped and she was closed down quickly. 
City seem to have done well Vs the top sides, lost but not heavily and been in the game for most of it. They really need to beat the sides around the bottom to stand any chance, hope they can get a win soon , they need it.

Good day out and great support, and you can beer to the seats 

[The Bard]

2 hours ago, ralphindevon said:

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.

Think they used to play in the same team in Guernsey

 

1 hour ago, Full nelson said:

Aspin left in a knee brace and on crutches. 

 

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

Need  someone with a good left foot..

[Eco]

2 hours 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.

Agree with pretty much everything you say. Amy Jones was fantastic, Struck looked good when she came on. Sounds like Aspin is OK, not sure how she didn't get a yellow for that challenge though. Feel so proud of our players really, they're playing their socks off for little old Bristol City. We were good against Everton who won at Villa today so all is definitely not lost.   

[SomeRandomBristolian]

Good weekend of football. Watching football both on Saturday and Sunday at the gate. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

and you can beer to the seats 

Not altogether sure about that one. Unless is written down, I always assumed below the Conference was the level.

[1960maaan]

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Not altogether sure about that one. Unless is written down, I always assumed below the Conference was the level.

Exactly what I said, still saw several people coming in with pints.

Maybe the stewards didn't notice ?

[Bristol Oil Services]

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 

 

 

Reckon Earpsie had some idea how busy she would be this afternoon  .....

[phantom]

15 hours ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Reckon Earpsie had some idea how busy she would be this afternoon  .....

Nice of her to remember her roots, she's in Bristol today too catching up with friends 

[phantom]

[shahanshahan]

22 hours ago, ralphindevon said:

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.

Yep, both are from Guernsey so would probably know each other from there. I saw him a few rows behind me. Tommy Conway was with him as were two other people I didn't recognise 

2 hours ago, phantom said:

 

Crisis averted

 

[View from the Dolman]

7 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Yep, both are from Guernsey so would probably know each other from there. 

They more than know each other - Maya is Alex's step sister as per the Bournemouth Echo

Quote

 

Matt Le Tissier will take some dislodging as Guernsey’s most famous footballing export, but Scott already has a battle on his hands to claim the title of the Channel Island’s current best player.

That’s because his stepsister is England international and Manchester United star Maya Le Tissier, the pair having grown up playing together for Guernsey-based St Martin’s.

Whilst some reports name Maya Le Tissier (no relation to Matt) as Scott’s half-sister, the 20-year-old clarified that they were in fact siblings via marriage.

“That's my stepsister,” he restarted.

“My dad's with her mum, so she's my stepsister.

“We grew up, I don't know what age that would have been when they were together, but we've grown up playing for the same team all our lives.

https://web.archive.org/web/20231104003801/https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/23898533.alex-scott-afc-bournemouth-stepsister-maya-le-tissier/

 

 

[shahanshahan]

7 minutes ago, View from the Dolman said:

They more than know each other - Maya is Alex's step sister as per the Bournemouth Echo

 

Thanks @View from the Dolman

Wasn't aware of that!

[shahanshahan]

Just realised that Jonathan Pearce was doing commentary for the game, as per from the clip below.
He was doing the international coverage on the FA Player (BBC had Fara Williams & someone else who's name I forgot)

Anyway, his commentary is now available on the FA Player (in the UK)
https://faplayer.thefa.com/video/MF84NTM0YTZnaSU3QyUyRnNlY3Rpb24lM0ZwYWdlJTNEaG9tZS1wYWdlJTdDY2Fyb3VzZWwtMA%3D%3D

 

[phantom]

4 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Just realised that Jonathan Pearce was doing commentary for the game, as per from the clip below.
He was doing the international coverage on the FA Player (BBC had Fara Williams & someone else who's name I forgot)

Anyway, his commentary is now available on the FA Player (in the UK)
https://faplayer.thefa.com/video/MF84NTM0YTZnaSU3QyUyRnNlY3Rpb24lM0ZwYWdlJTNEaG9tZS1wYWdlJTdDY2Fyb3VzZWwtMA%3D%3D

 

Bettywyn Glover and Anita Asante were presenting pitch side 

[shahanshahan]

A new organisation (NewCo) has been approved by all 24 clubs in the WSL & Championship, which will take over running the leagues from the FA next season

 

[Erithacus]

I was awaiting this announcement for a while, now it's happened. The FA have done a sterling job in going from outright banning to prominent inclusivity, but it was always looking to offload the women's game - especially at the top end. I note Nikki Doucet has a good grounding in the finer aspects of the organisation of the sport but was also an investment banker, significantly. That says to me that the growth of the women's game is clearly focussed on the money side. Who will benefit most, I wonder.

Of course, we will see what the new set-up will bring; the NewCo seems to be gearing up to run the show as a stakeholders' group. Will it be like the NFL? People make the mistake of thinking it's a sporting league - it's not, it's an owners' club!

Edited November 28, 2023 by Erithacus
typo

[1960maaan]

On 27/11/2023 at 16:14, shahanshahan said:

 

 

Great performance , really unlucky with the goals specially the deflection. 

[shahanshahan]

Appeared on another Man United fan channel this evening talking about Sunday's game.

[phantom]

 

 

[chinapig]

On 28/11/2023 at 16:19, Erithacus said:

I was awaiting this announcement for a while, now it's happened. The FA have done a sterling job in going from outright banning to prominent inclusivity, but it was always looking to offload the women's game - especially at the top end. I note Nikki Doucet has a good grounding in the finer aspects of the organisation of the sport but was also an investment banker, significantly. That says to me that the growth of the women's game is clearly focussed on the money side. Who will benefit most, I wonder.

Of course, we will see what the new set-up will bring; the NewCo seems to be gearing up to run the show as a stakeholders' group. Will it be like the NFL? People make the mistake of thinking it's a sporting league - it's not, it's an owners' club!

Jonathan Liew has written a good piece on this using us as an example of the considerable downside.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/05/womens-football-must-be-wary-of-following-mens-game-into-financial-cesspit

The WSL is surely going to end up like the PL, which I doubt will be good news for us.

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

I think the positive thing with the ladies team is that table is tight.  

Now we seem to have sorted the defence's out we have a decent chance of getting a couple more wins which makes things look much more rosy.

[phantom]

8 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

I think the positive thing with the ladies team is that table is tight.  

Now we seem to have sorted the defence's out we have a decent chance of getting a couple more wins which makes things look much more rosy.

Playing Brighton, Villa and West Ham back to back in a few weeks in the new year

We really need at least 4 points from those games

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

4 minutes ago, phantom said:

Playing Brighton, Villa and West Ham back to back in a few weeks in the new year

We really need at least 4 points from those games

Villa are an odd one for me, last season top scorer is with them.  But West Ham and Brighton are games we should be looking to get some points from.

[shahanshahan]

Press conference from today. Discussed such things as the international break (especially City players), three games in a week (Liverpool away this Sunday, Reading in Conti Cup on Wednesday, Chelsea at home next Sunday), and injury news. Biggest news with that is Brooke Aspin is not available for this Sunday's game

 

[shahanshahan]

Considering it was due to be a midday KO, I'm ok with this...

 

[SinéadB]

1 hour ago, shahanshahan said:

Considering it was due to be a midday KO, I'm ok with this...

 

 

I'm delighted about this - initially annoyed until it was moved from midday, not to midday.

 

[shahanshahan]

City will be playing in the black away kit this Sunday

 

[shahanshahan]

Here at Prenton Park

Mustaki & Syme come into starting XI. Aspin out after picking up injury at the last game. Jones not recovered from injury picked up with Wales.

Thestrup faces her former club. Former Liverpool players Furness & Murray still out injured

KO 2pm. Live on FA Player

[old_eastender]

Good opening 15 mins taking the game to Liverpool.

Only bad point was Harrison getting herself booked for petulant reaction to a foul, silly girl.

[Davefevs]

JLN is bright. Tries to do something each time she gets on it. 

[old_eastender]

HT 0-0. 

We may end up losing this game, but that was easily the best opening 45 mins we have had this season. Took the game to Liverpool from the off and have competed really well.

Syme, Napier & Morgan the pick of the bunch but almost all played well, just Harrison who has seemed a little sluggish,

 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, old_eastender said:

HT 0-0. 

We may end up losing this game, but that was easily the best opening 45 mins we have had this season. Took the game to Liverpool from the off and have competed really well.

Syme, Napier & Morgan the pick of the bunch but almost all played well, just Harrison who has seemed a little sluggish,

 

Was gonna say the same, best we’ve played imho too.

Roger’s gets about in the midfield, makes up for Symes lack of mobility.

Just need to get one chance for Thestrup

[Eco]

3 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

HT 0-0. 

We may end up losing this game, but that was easily the best opening 45 mins we have had this season. Took the game to Liverpool from the off and have competed really well.

Syme, Napier & Morgan the pick of the bunch but almost all played well, just Harrison who has seemed a little sluggish,

 

Yep, Syme is doing a great unfussy job. 

[RedM]

Have the supporters been given free/heavily subsidised travel again?

[old_eastender]

Goal, Thestrup 0-1, well deserved

[Davefevs]

And there is the one thestrup chance. 1/0

[Sleepy1968]

5 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

Goal, Thestrup 0-1, well deserved

Good sustained pressure. Lets hope they keep a clean sheet now.

Edit: And there's the equaliser. Goalie rooted to spot I think.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Sleepy1968

[old_eastender]

1-1 Clarke's weakness in dealing with high crosses exposed. Shame as she is a vg shot stopper.

[shahanshahan]

8 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

Goal, Thestrup 0-1, well deserved

 

[shahanshahan]

12 minutes ago, RedM said:

Have the supporters been given free/heavily subsidised travel again?

The Supporters Club & Trust organised coach travel for this particular fixture, if that's what you mean. However, there are a few supporters here who were at Huddersfield yesterday for the men's game & stayed over...

[chinapig]

As an aside, the attendance at the Arsenal vs Chelsea game was 59,042, a WSL record.

[Sleepy1968]

great save by liv clarke

ed final score: 1-1. Well played.

Edited December 10, 2023 by Sleepy1968

[GrahamC]

Excellent point.

[cidercity1987]

We are competitive and the away results have been excellent. Just need one of the other strugglers to drop off but I think they are all taking points off each other

[Lanterne Rouge]

We could get off the bottom if Everton can win at West Ham.  0-0 just after half time.

[old_eastender]

8 minutes ago, Sleepy1968 said:

great save by liv clarke

ed final score: 1-1. Well played.

Liv Clarke is a vg shot stopper and it was a top notch save, BUT she is so weak when it comes to dealing with high crosses. Their goal was a high cross inside the 6 yard box and she was just rooted to the line, hoping our defenders win it. She did that on another couple of corners too, but thankfully didn't cost us. IF she could learn to come and claim, or even punch out, those sort of crosses she would be a top keeper.

Overall though an unexpected point against a Liverpool side who were 5th in the table. Easily best performance of the season to date, Syme made a big difference and should keep her place even if/when Jones is fit to return.

 

[Eco]

16 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

We could get off the bottom if Everton can win at West Ham.  0-0 just after half time.

Everton 1-0 up 24 mins to go, we're off the bottom at this moment in time

 

[Red Homer]

22 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

Liv Clarke is a vg shot stopper and it was a top notch save, BUT she is so weak when it comes to dealing with high crosses. Their goal was a high cross inside the 6 yard box and she was just rooted to the line, hoping our defenders win it. She did that on another couple of corners too, but thankfully didn't cost us. IF she could learn to come and claim, or even punch out, those sort of crosses she would be a top keeper.

Overall though an unexpected point against a Liverpool side who were 5th in the table. Easily best performance of the season to date, Syme made a big difference and should keep her place even if/when Jones is fit to return.

 

Has Liv done something to piss you off? I notice during and after every game that you have a real downer on her. You seem to have forgotten that a) she is a very young keeper and b) she wasn't even supposed to be here this season, was supposed to be out on loan but was called back to cover for injuries but is now keeping an experienced Haaland out of the team.

[old_eastender]

28 minutes ago, Red Homer said:

Has Liv done something to piss you off? I notice during and after every game that you have a real downer on her. You seem to have forgotten that a) she is a very young keeper and b) she wasn't even supposed to be here this season, was supposed to be out on loan but was called back to cover for injuries but is now keeping an experienced Haaland out of the team.

Not at all, as you can read I've acknowledged she is a vg shot stopper, who could be a top keeper if only she could learn to come and collect, or even punch away, high crosses delivered inside our 6 yard box.

Edited December 10, 2023 by old_eastender

[shahanshahan]

55 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

We could get off the bottom if Everton can win at West Ham.  0-0 just after half time.

FT Everton win 1-0.

West Ham drop to bottom on 4 points. We're 11th on 5 points.

[cidercity1987]

Our GD is similar to a few other teams which is a good sign for the rest of the season

West Ham home game will be a big one

[Lanterne Rouge]

Hell of a confidence boost too, an excellent point away at one of the big clubs and getting off the bottom too. They must be buzzing on the coach home.

[Davefevs]

I think they are missing a couple of players with “legs”.  Get them in and they’ll get the results they need to survive.

[cidered abroad]

Considering that Liverpool totally outplayed us while winning promotion in season before last, and with Liverpool having tons more money to spend, an away draw is an excellent result. Well done City Women.

[Sleepy1968]

19 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

Considering that Liverpool totally outplayed us while winning promotion in season before last, and with Liverpool having tons more money to spend, an away draw is an excellent result. Well done City Women.

I watched the Liverpool championship win at the gate, and from the faplayer coverage today's game was much much closer.

In absolute terms Liverpool were superior, but City would've been gutted not to come away with a point.

[Jerseybean]

Well deserved point https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67604888

 

[phantom]

3 hours ago, chinapig said:

As an aside, the attendance at the Arsenal vs Chelsea game was 59,042, a WSL record.

Lauren James begged for forgiveness for her petulance in the World Cup, then this afternoon... 

 

[RedLionLad]

1 hour ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

Hell of a confidence boost too, an excellent point away at one of the big clubs and getting off the bottom too. They must be buzzing on the coach home.

There’s a rude joke there, but in the current climate, I refuse to go there

[chinapig]

49 minutes ago, phantom said:

Lauren James begged for forgiveness for her petulance in the World Cup, then this afternoon... 

 

If that was a heat of the moment thing all I can say is it was a very long moment.

A premeditated stamp like that deserves a long suspension.

[Lavington Robin]

Great result & their next 4 fixtures include 3 teams in a similar league position so an excellent opportunity to stay at the top level when it looked like they were odds on to go straight back down.

[phantom]

13 minutes ago, Lavington Robin said:

Great result & their next 4 fixtures include 3 teams in a similar league position so an excellent opportunity to stay at the top level when it looked like they were odds on to go straight back down.

Damage limitation next weekend, then we need points 

[Coach]

On 10/12/2023 at 16:08, old_eastender said:

Liv Clarke is a vg shot stopper and it was a top notch save, BUT she is so weak when it comes to dealing with high crosses. Their goal was a high cross inside the 6 yard box and she was just rooted to the line, hoping our defenders win it. She did that on another couple of corners too, but thankfully didn't cost us. IF she could learn to come and claim, or even punch out, those sort of crosses she would be a top keeper.

Overall though an unexpected point against a Liverpool side who were 5th in the table. Easily best performance of the season to date, Syme made a big difference and should keep her place even if/when Jones is fit to return.

 

If you watch the goal carefully it wasn't even Clark's ball to come for. It was falling straight on Connolly's head for a free-header clearance but she seemed to mistime her jump and missed it completely. For Clark to come and claim that ball she would've had to have wiped out Connolly to do so which would've just been reckless.

 

 

[shahanshahan]

Would have posted last night but it was a long day of travel. Would have loved the three points but happy to settle for one against a decent Liverpool side.
Great to see a lot of away support present at Prenton Park - met a fair few who said they were at Huddersfield on Saturday & stayed over in the north

Here are some snaps (the one of the away stand taken well before KO isn't mine)...

 

[shahanshahan]

https://www.thefa.com/news/2023/dec/11/adobe-womens-fa-cup-fourth-round-proper-draw-details-20231112
Bristol City; alongside all WSL teams; enter the fourth round of the FA Cup

Fans can watch the Adobe Women's FA Cup fourth round proper draw live on Tuesday 12 December.

With clubs from the Barclays Women's Super League entering the competition at this stage, all eyes will be on the draw which will take place at 9.30am GMT live on the official @AdobeWomensFACup Instagram channel in an exciting collaboration with the Counter Pressed podcast.

Host Flo Lloyd Hughes will be joined by Gilly Flaherty to carry out the draw, featuring those clubs who progressed to this stage after an action-packed afternoon of third round proper ties on Sunday.

There are 32 clubs involved with 16 ties at this stage of the competition, which will take place on Sunday 14 January 2024 and sees winning clubs collect £54,000 from the competition prize fund and £15,000 for the losing teams.

The ball numbers for the draw are below...

1 Arsenal
2 Aston Villa
3 Brighton & Hove Albion
4 Bristol City
5 Chelsea
6 Everton
7 Leicester City
8 Liverpool
9 Manchester City
10 Manchester United
11 Tottenham Hotspur
12 West Ham United
13 Sheffield United
14 Newcastle United
15 Burnley
16 Derby County
17 Sunderland
18 Birmingham City
19 Blackburn Rovers
20 Nottingham Forest
21 Durham
22 Hull City or Wolverhampton Wanderers
23 Crystal Palace
24 Watford
25 London City Lionesses
26 Reading
27 Luton Town or Keynsham Town
28 Southampton FC Women
29 Plymouth Argyle
30 Ipswich Town or Lewes
31 Moneyfields
32 Charlton Athletic

 

[shahanshahan]

Just been drawn at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup...

[Super]

Luton or Keynsham (the lowest ranked team left in the draw) vs Brighton

[phantom]

Full Draw

Fourth round draw - Sunday 14 January

Derby County v Leicester City

Sunderland v Southampton

Burnley v Birmingham City

London City Lionesses v Moneyfields

Tottenham v Sheffield United

Chelsea v West Ham

Crystal Palace v Blackburn Rovers

Reading v Hull City or Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arsenal v Watford

Luton Town or Keynsham Town v Brighton & Hove Albion

Plymouth Argyle v Nottingham Forest

Ipswich Town or Lewes v Charlton Athletic

Bristol City v Liverpool

Durham v Manchester City

Manchester United v Newcastle United

Aston Villa v Everton

[Erithacus]

3 hours ago, Super said:

Luton or Keynsham (the lowest ranked team left in the draw) vs Brighton

Thought Moneyfields was the lowest ranked still in (away to London City); Ks are the lowest local team after beating the Gas Girls.

3 hours ago, shahanshahan said:

Just been drawn at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup...

<Rubs hands in expectation>

The match is due the week after the men's third round date, so could be a handy double.

[HanJourno]

On 30/10/2022 at 18:22, shahanshahan said:

Great day out! Heading back on the coach now. Some photos for everyone's pleasure...

Hi there! I'm a journalism student writing an article about Bristol City for an assignment. Any chance I could use your picture of the Bristol City bus? The article won't be published and I'll give full credit to you.

[phantom]

At least the ladies had something to smile about at their Christmas lunch yesterday