BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 2

YEOVIL TOWN LADIES 1

YEOVIL Town Ladies were narrowly beaten once again – this time on derby day as Bristol City somehow ran out 2-1 winners from their FA Women’s Super League clash at Stoke Gifford Stadium.

It was Yeovil Town Ladies who took the lead just after half-time but a Lucy Graham penalty and a deflected Rosella Ayane effort saw the hosts snatch all three points.

Manager Lee Burch made some changes to his 11, with deadline day signing Rachel McLauchlan slotting straight into midfield.

Ellie Mason and Hannah Short partnered up in central defence, with Charlotte Buxton slotting in at right-back.

The match had a typical derby day feel with tackles flying in from both sides and the Glovers’ new-look defence was tested early on.

Loren Dykes’ excellent cross found Ella Rutherford but Short – who was excellent all afternoon – was on hand to clear.

But it was the visitors who had the best chance of the first half when Annie Heatherson broke free and shot from the edge of the 18-yard box, however her effort sailed agonisingly over the bar.

After the break, the match sprung into life and Heatherson made no mistake with her effort this time.

Megan Alexander’s pinpoint cross was met by the forward and the Glovers had a deserved lead.

Yeovil continued to press and Heatherson was causing the home side all sorts of problems but 10 minutes later, City had the chance to equalise from the spot.

Dykes’ cross was adjudged to have been handled by Emily Donovan and Lucy Graham coolly slotted the ball past Walsh.

On 72 minutes, the home side took the lead in the cruellest of manners when Ayane’s weak shot took a huge deflection off the desperately unlucky Bonnie Horwood.

The Glovers switched things up to three at the back, bringing on Emily Syme to bolster their attacking prowess, but City managed to hold out for a win that keeps the Robins in fifth.

Burch, whose side remains bottom on three points, said he was proud of the ever-improving performances, vowing that the luck will change and the Glovers will keep fighting until the end.

Next up, Yeovil have a break from league action and host Birmingham City in the FA Cup at Dorchester Town’s Clayson Stadium on Sunday (3pm).

*Half price tickets until Friday by booking online.

Bristol City: Baggaley, Dykes, Evans, Brown, Kerkdijk, Pattinson, Humphrey, Rutherford (Harrison 60), Graham, Ayane, Biesmans. Subs not used: Kemppi, Cumings, Payne, Wilson, Robinson, Woolley.

Yeovil: Walsh, Alexander, Short, Horwood, Heatherson, Mason, Donovan (Cousins 87), Buxton (Syme 79), Evans, Mclaughlan, Bloomfield (Fergusson 60). Subs not used: Goddard, Gaylor, Howard