Bristol City were not at their best as they were beaten 3-1 by London City Lionesses in their final home game of the 2021/22 season.
Lauren Smith’s side found themselves two goals behind thank to goals from Atlanta Primus and Amy Rodgers, before hitting back through Abi Harrison’s 21st goal of the season. But Karin Maya’s composed strike late in the first half was enough for the visitors to ensure they took all three points back to the capital.
The result sees London City leapfrog City into second place with one game each left to play, the Robins will have to win and hope the Lionesses drop points to have any hope of finishing second in the FA Woman’s Championship.
The away side struck after only 10 minutes as Primus was first to react to Brooke Aspin’s block before smashing her volleyed effort into the right of the goal.
Only five minutes later, Satara Murray was adjudged to have brought Lily Agg inside the area and Rodgers made no mistake with her spot-kick, slotting down the middle with ease to double the Lionesses’ lead.
With just over half an hour on the clock, Chloe Bull’s corner landed at the feet of Harrison who’s finish on the spin beat Shae Yanez to half the Robin’s deficit. But it wasn’t long before the Lionesses restored their two-goal cushion as Karin Miya was played in past the Robins’ defence before calmly slotting past Whitehouse.
The home side missed a couple of half chances as the first 45 minutes concluded, the best of which falling to Brooke Aspin who headed wide from Ffion Morgan’s corner to ensure the Lionesses took their two-goal lead into the break.
Whitehouse repaid the faith given to her by Smith continuing to be at her best as she made a string of early saves in the second half to prevent Melissa Phillip’s side finding their fourth.
City found their feet towards the end of the half, with Jess Woolley unfortunate to not find the net as she met Morgan’s cross after a solid save from Yanez, but ultimately the damage was done in the first half.
Talking points
Disappointing end to a special year at City’s new home
It feels like City have been playing at the High Performance Centre for a lot longer than just this season, such has been the ease with which they’ve adapted to their new surroundings.
The homecoming 2-1 win against Lewes in September feels a long time ago now but Smith’s side have had a number of special performances, none more memorable than their 5-1 thumping against Sheffield United.
Perhaps the biggest impact has been the regular and loyal support that have flocked to Failand over the last seven months to get behind their side, with another huge attendance of 517 this weekend.
End of season awards
Even after the action was over, there was a feeling of celebration for the Robins as the end of season awards ceremony took place on the HPC pitch.
Unsurprisingly it was a busy ceremony for Harrison, who received the Bristol City Women’s golden boot as well as the supporter’s player of the season after a special season where she’s become the Robin’s all-time top goal scorer.
The supporter’s young player of the season was Manchester United loanee Fran Bentley who has kept 10 clean sheets, while the winner of the PFA Community player of the year was Jasmine Bull.
Harrison takes over from Weimann
On Saturday, Bristol City men’s boss Nigel Pearson joked that Harrison had been joking with Andi Weimann after the Scottish forward reached the 20-goal mark for the 2021-22 campaign.
The Austrian forward matched Harrison’s tally with his first-half strike away at Derby on Saturday but his success was short-lived as Harrison scored her 21st with a poacher’s finish.
The internal battle for the Bristol City golden boot looks like it will go right down to the wire, with Weimann a goal behind at the end of the play on Sunday, however the Austrian still has a game in hand.
One eye on the future
There were a couple of changes from Smith as the Robins’ manager gave youth a chance, with young full-back Maddi Wilde making her first start and Whitehouse preferred over Fran Bentley.
With Bentley set to return to parent club Manchester United at the end of the season it makes sense that the City manager is keen to assess her options and there was little Whitehouse could’ve done with each of the Lionesses first half goals.
With a title and promotion charge well and truly in City’s sights for next season, Smith will be keen to add to her already talented pool of players, but there’s plenty of special players that haven’t had regular minutes this season who can play a part.
City miss their midfield maestros
Any team in the Championship would miss the talents of Aimee Palmer and Ava Kuyken and it certainly felt as though the Robins could’ve done with at least one of the pair in the middle of the park.
The likes of Chloe and Jasmine Bull have plenty of talent but throughout the loss against the Lionesses it looked as though the control and confidence the City captain tends to offer was noticeably absent.
One thing that remained in their absence was some impressive set-piece routines, normally delivery falls on Palmer but both Morgan and Chloe Bull produced productive corners and free-kicks.
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