Part 2 of my women's football weekend, after watching watching Doncaster Rovers Belles beat Oxford United WFC at the Keepmoat Stadium last evening (see previous match report) I opted to stay in Doncaster overnight rather than travel back home to Norfolk. The 2nd game today giving me an early opportunity to take a look at Manchester City WFC the new entrants to WSL 1, their opponents today Bristol Academy. Both teams had started their league campaign with an away and home defeat respectfully and were looking to get those much wanted 1st points on the board.
Manchester City WFC play their home matches at the Manchester Regional Arena situated on the grounds next to the spectacular looking Etihad Stadium. Like the Keepmoat you go to the ticket office to buy your match ticket and can take advantage of the various facilities around the stadium. The layout was a little confusing but plenty of stewards on hand to ask where to go, and been there once you'll know what to do next time. A sign close to or on the Regional Arena announcing it as the home ground of Manchester City WFC would be a nice touch too. A free programme too, again very good as have all of the programmes I've collected in my 4 WSL 1 & 2 games this week.
The Manchester Regional Arena is an athletics stadium, now dual purpose with football. I personally am not a fan of having a running track between the supporters and the pitch, wasn't helped by advertising boards obscuring the near touch line either. An open plan stadium it could well be a cold windy place to be, so it's perfect the WSL is a summer sport because on a nice hot sunny day it will be great. The pitch was lush and green looked in very good condition the weather a little chilly and breezy.
Manchester City WFC starting XI - Andie Worrall, Steph Houghton, Emma Lipman, Steph Marsh, Chelsea Nightingale, Krystle Johnston, Jill Scott, Betsy Hassett, Jess Holbrook, Isobel Christiansen, & Toni Duggan.
Bristol Academy starting XI - Mary Earps, Grace McCatty, Jemma Rose, Jasmine Matthews, Corinne Yorston, Angharad James, Sophie Ingle, Natasha Harding, Nicki Watts, Laura Del Rio, & Natalia Sanchon
It was Manchester City to kick the match off in thier sky blue shirts with white trim, white shorts and socks with sky blue trim against Bristol kitted out in red shirts, shorts and socks with white trim. It was a cgaey opeing few minutes the ball travelling up and down the pitch as both teams tried to settle into the match. The 1st attempt on goal a shot from Bristol's Angharad James blocked by Manchester City's defence from a corner won by Natalia Sanchon.
Working the right channel Manchester City's Krystle Johnston is causing problems early on breaking clear of her marker Bristol keeper Mary Earps rushes out to clear the danger her kick only finds Toni Duggan, before she can get the ball under control from the shot from 30 yards out Earps has managed to back track to gather the ball.
The away side take an early lead from a well delivered corner from the right that Manchester City keeper Andie Worrall can't take cleanly it falls down into the 6 yard box there is confusion and the ball goes over the line an own goal 1-0 to Bristol.
Not the start Manchester City wanted on their home debut. Jill Scott looking to play her game in an advanced role for Manchester City was doing her best to influence play and link up with striker Toni Duggan. Scott with a great break is in on goal central she shoots every one thinks it has gone in... Earps though has gotten the merest of touches to send it wide of the post (narrowly) corner.
The difference between the two sides was the fluidity of their play Bristol's was far better with Laura Del Rio and Natasha Harding operating wide and Nicki Watts in support of Natalia Sanchon in attack the build up was stronger. Manchester in comparison were losing their shape in order to try and make things happen.
With this better build up of attack Bristol were putting Manchester City under increased pressure. They doubled their lead, a good cross from the right is played into Del Rio inside the box turning she lays it off to the advancing Agharad James who unleashes a shot from inside the box giving Worrall no chance 2-0 to Bristol.
Good work from Duggan brings about a free kick on the right as Corinne Yorston fouls Krystle Johnston. Delivered into the box Duggan heads the ball down into the path of Betsy Hassett but the attempt on goal is blocked.
Half-time Manchester City WFC 0-2 Bristol Academy
Manchester City are out early need a stronger 2nd half performance in front of what was once again an excellent crowd of over 1200. The attendances upon the whole have been very promising in these opening matches and I really do hope they continue into the season. Bristol get the 2nd half under way.
The visitors start the half better, Natasha Harding with a good run into the box lays the ball off for Nicki Watts, the ball is missed and Manchester City reclaim the ball to break, Jill Scott is now staying in an advanced position to link up with Duggan the tall midfielder gets a good cross in from the right Duggan at the near post sandwiched between two defenders is squeezed out.
Manchester City are working alot harder to disrupt Bristols flow and from that look to build are giving away a number of fouls in doing so. Krystle Johnston has been a threat down the right all game making good determined runs this time gets an opportunity to have a strike on goal the ball though sails over the bar.
Jess Holbrook and Krystle Johnston are replaced by Lynda Shepherd and Natasha Flint for Manchester City. Isobel Christiansen quiet in the 1st half has been more effective in the 2nd half pushed up the pitch she almost plays in Duggan. A little while later has a long range effort along the ground it lacks the power and Earps scoops it up.
At the other end the ball is played in dangerously to Natasha Harding at the near post she can't make enough contact the ball screws out into Nicki Watts who can't get the ball out of her feet in time to shoot before Manchester City clear the danger.
Bristol's Laura Del Rio has Bristols best chance of the half finding herself in a central position 20 yards out sends in a curling shot it strikes the post, bouncing out into the path of the advancing Sanchon the Spanish striker shoots but Andie Worrell makes a brilliant save.
Anne-Marie Heatherson comes on late for Angharad James. The closing minutes see long range off target efforts from both sides Isobel Christiansen for Manchester City, Natasha Harding for Bristol. The final whistle blows and it is the visitors who secure a comfortable 2-0 victory and get the 3pts.
Work to do for Manchester City not the start they would have wanted it is however a very new team in a new league and will take time to gel, but gel it will no doubt has been a lot of pressure pre season from media building up the club the PR has been brilliant it's game time that the team needs now.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
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