City move top with dominant display against Bristol

First-half goals from Jill Roord (two), Laia Aleixandri, and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (two) set City on our way to a dominant performance.

The victory extended our winning run at the Joie Stadium to 21 league games and 27 in all competitions.

And with other results falling in our favour, the win moved City to the WSL summit in the process.

WHAT HAPPENED?

City didn’t have to wait long for the game’s first goal, Shaw’s strike was mere inches away from creeping in before bouncing back out to Roord, who nodded home just within the 10-minute mark. 

The Blues were in emphatic form and eager to grab a second if not for a string of impressive saves from Bristol’s Kaylan Marckese.

But the second would follow soon after, and was prepped beautifully by Greenwood, with her curling free-kick allowing Alexiandri to glance the ball into the back of the net.

It was the Spaniard’s first-ever goal for City, as Gareth Taylor‘s side turned the screw.

After a number of chances, Shaw finally got her goal courtesy of a fantastic Mary Fowler cross when she powerfully directed the Australian’s delivery into the net with her head.

Gareth Taylor’s side’s high pressing did not let up, and Roord benefitted by extending our lead further with a direct header in the corner.

But there was still time just before half-time for a fifth, when Shaw bagged her second of the day with another header.

The Jamaican has had a flying start to the season with three goals in two starts for City.  

The Blues enjoyed an array of chances in the second half, with Fowler’s pinpoint crosses paving the way for Kelly who narrowly missed the ball, while the winger’s thunderous strike was also denied by Marckese. 

Shaw narrowly missed out on a hat trick in added time with Marckese just pushing the ball out of reach for the Jamaican. 

Nonetheless, a dominant display and a job done for the Blues. 

Gareth Taylor‘s side have made a brilliant start to the season in their WSL 2023/24 campaign. 

Player of the Match: Jill Roord 

A classy display from Roord, who bagged a brace and showed clear control throughout the game. 

This was also Roord’s first home goals for the Club.

HOW WE LINED UP

Gareth Taylor made eight changes from the team that beat Everton in the Continental Cup this week.

Khiara Keating started between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Esme Morgan, Alanna Kennedy, Laia Aleixandri, and Captain Alex Greenwood.

Yui Hasegawa sat in front of the defence, with Filippa Angeldahl and Jill Roord completing the midfield three.

Chloe Kelly and Mary Fowler sat on the wings, with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw up front to finish the strike force.

CITY XI: Keating, Morgan (Mace 69’), Kennedy, Aleixandri (Houghton 83’)  Greenwood (C), Hasegawa (Coombs 83’), Angeldahl (Park 69’), Roord (Castellanos 83’) Kelly, Shaw, Fowler.

Subs: Roebuck, MacIver, Casparij, Blakstad.

BRISTOL CITY XI: Marckese, Strucl (Powell 62’), Layzell, Aspin (Syme 83’), Connolly, Rodgers, Furness, Napier, Mustaki (Ward 46’), Thestrup (Teisar 78’), Jones (Morgan 46’).

Subs: Hayles, Bull, Murray, Clark.

WHAT IT MEANS

As it stands, City now sit top of the table on goal difference with Leicester and Chelsea just behind. 

UP NEXT

Our next fixture sees us travel to the King Power Stadium on the 21 October to take on Leicester City in the Barclay’s Women’s Super League. Kick-off is at 17:15 (UK) as we aim to continue our fantastic form against the Foxes.