Lauren Smith urged a record Bristol City crowd to keep the faith and fire them towards promotion after an 8-1 Women’s FA Cup defeat against ‘world-class’ Manchester City.
The Robins suffered a heavy defeat against the Women’s Super League high-flyers as striker Bunny Shaw hit four goals. Gracie Pearse grabbed a consolation for Smith’s side but further strikes from Filippa Angeldahl, Julie Blakstad and Jemima Dahou completed the fifth-round rout.
A record haul of 1,223 fans flocked to a raucous Robins High Performance Centre on Sunday and Smith, whose team sit level on points with London City Lionesses at the Championship summit, hopes turning the ground into a fortress can haul them back towards the top-flight.
