An own goal and a sweet strike by Anghard James were enough for the visitors.
A bumper Easter crowd of 1253 - up on the league average and a pleasing and positive indicator that the Blues are going to be well supported by the public on their voyage of footballing discovery – left disappointed but not despondent.
Despite the defeat the fans got a taste of what these Sky Blue shirted players are all about. They have spirit and skill in abundance, they are able to ‘mix it’ when necessary but they like the ball on the ground and to pass and move their way through and around opponents.
Occasionally, when the inevitably stray pass is struck, this adherence to style gets them into trouble and it did so here when even a big second half improvement failed to drag them back into proceedings.
The bottom line was that City, for all they produced passages of controlled eye-pleasing football, failed to work keeper Mary Earps enough and in the end Bristol could be well pleased with their afternoon’s work.
This was a contest between the only two sides in FAWSL 1 who didn’t manage to change the zero in the points column in week one of the competition.
The Vixens - a curious sobriquet given its argumentative, shrewish, or spiteful connotations none of which were remotely evident in the play or disposition of the visitors – lost out 2-0 at home to Chelsea whilst City were the on the wrong end of a single goal game at Liverpool.
Despite the short recovery time and quick turnaround, Blues coach Nick Cushing was able to name an unchanged side though full back Steph Marsh still sported the facial bruises from a combative contest on Merseyside.
Unfortunately an expectant and excited audience had their anticipation and roars of approval stifled in just the 10thminute when Andie Worrall, so good in the opening league and FA Cup contests, misjudged a wind affected, swirling corner and in the ensuing mad scramble a Blues boot touched the ball over the line
Midfielder Jill Scott, who spent time in the build-up to the game training with James Milner (for the record she is far more entertaining on Twitter than JM’s alter-ego/impersonator) was integral to City’s attempts to reply and almost levelled two minutes later but her well-struck effort was touched into the side netting by Earps.
Bristol, who finished second in the league last season and were also FA Cup runners up, doubled their advantage in the 17th minute when James made the most of being afforded time and space in the box to beat Worrall with aplomb
Thereafter a combination of guts and gusto saw the Vixens quell the Blues attempted revival. They defended high up the pitch, in numbers and with tenacity which led to some frustration and a yellow card for City’s Toni Duggan and Bristol’s Jemma Rose.
They protected their goal superbly leaving a home side empty handed
Two more home games now follow at home to Chelsea next Sunday in the FA Cup last eight and then against Everton in the Etihad Stadium on May 4 (noon).
Stick with them!
