Bristol City were beaten 4-2 by Liverpool at Ashton Gate as a record Women’s Championship crowd of 5,752 supporters saw Matt Beard’s side secure the title.
As first faced second it was the visitors who started better with Niamh Fahey breaking the deadlock before Aggie Beever-Jones’s cross levelled things less than two minutes later.
Goals either side of half-time gave the visitors a two-goal lead and despite a superb finish from Abi Harrison a late scrappy strike from Missy Bo Kearns gave the Reds a deserved victory.
The result means that City will enjoy another season in England’s second tier while Liverpool return to the Women’s Super League, for the first time since their relegation in 2020.
The visitors started the better of the two sides and broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Megan Campbell’s long throw couldn’t be cleared with Fahey capitalising and smashing past Fran Bentley.
But only a minute later the Vixens replied, as Beever-Jones found space down the left wing before lifting her cross come shot over the head of Rachael Laws to bring the home side level once more.
As City grew into the game, they looked the more likely to take the lead, but it was a familiar face of Jasmine Matthews who capitalised as the reds failed to clear their lines once more to allow the visitors to take a 2-1 lead at half-time.
Beard’s side continued to have the better of the chances, with Brooke Aspin and Murray working in tandem to block a Leanne Kiernan shot just before the hour mark.
Ultimately, it was yet another long throw that proved to be City’s downfall as Katie Stengel found herself free in box to give the visitors their third of the afternoon.
With 20 minutes left in the game, Abi Harrison did what she does best, bringing down Ffion Morgan’s cross with her chest before volleying on the spin to half the deficit and score her 19th goal of the season.
While it looked like City may be able to snatch a point Liverpool capitalised on another scrappy piece of defending with substitute Missy Bo Kearns bundling in after a sharp save from Bentley, to secure the win and title for Beard’s side.
Talking points
Another special day at Ashton Gate
5,752 fans flocked to Ashton Gate to see the top of the table clash, a record not only for Bristol City Women but also for the FA Women’s Championship.
The atmosphere despite the result was great throughout, with fans of both clubs present and making plenty of noise in what was a reminder of the huge following the women’s game has.
Having broken their own attendance record twice this season while having a strong following each week at the High-Performance Centre, this has been a season of growth both on and off the pitch for City Women.
Beever-Jones and Harrison at home in the Gate
Ashton Gate may not be the Vixens’ permanent home, but you’d have to guess that Beever-Jones and Harrison in particular have enjoyed their limited time in BS3.
The 18-year-old Chelsea loanee and the Scottish international were on the scoresheet at the Gate in November, when they beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 and was once again in the goals against Liverpool.
It’s been a productive temporary spell for Beever-Jones, but with her loan deal expiring at the end of the season it will be interesting what the 2022-23 season brings, as you’d have to imagine Lauren Smith would be keen to secure her services for another campaign.
Liverpool are worthy champions
A rock-solid defence, a hard-working midfield and an impressive front-line. This Liverpool team genuinely has it all from top to bottom and deserve their promotion.
The arsenal of weapons at their disposal is only aided by the unbelievably huge throw Campbell, who was causing mania that would make Rory Delap and Tony Pulis blush.
There’s no doubt that a club as big as that of the red side of the Mersey should have a club in the Woman’s football top division and it will be interesting to see how they fair in the Women’s Super League.
City will be back in the hunt next season
When looking back at the season it’s almost as if Lauren Smith’s side have inadvertently got themselves in a title race, a welcome challenge but by no means the expectation at the start of the campaign.
The monumental turnover of staff and players last season was expected to see a season of consolidation in the Championship with the view to a title charge next season, but this side have shown just how good they are.
With Harrison and Aimee Palmer signing contract extensions which should see them remain at High Performance Centre next year, you’d imagine the Vixens will be one of the favourites to reach the WSL next year.
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