Bristol City secured their promotion to the WSL in their 4-0 win over Charlton Athletic on Sunday afternoon in front of a record attendance of 7,045 at Ashton Gate.
The Robins took the lead through Grace Clinton after 20 minutes after the Manchester United loanee picked the pocket of defender Kiera Skeels and converted a low shot beyond Sian Rodgers in goal.
But despite City’s earnest attempts the score line hung limply at 1-0 at the interval, they struggled to exert any real composure in the final third.
Yet, less than a minute after the restart, City would prove a lacklustre first-half means little with the title on the line as Abi Harrison’s corner dipped beyond Rodgers to double City’s advantage.
Substitute Ffion Morgan combined well with Clinton as City pushed for a third to satiate an eager home crowd, which arrived shortly before the 80th-minute mark as Brooke Aspin headed in from Aimee Palmer's corner to send BS3 into fits of hysterics.
But the celebrations wouldn't end there as Morgan picked up the ball in Charlton's half and buried a screamer into the top right corner with three minutes of regular time remaining. An emphatic goal to end an emphatic return to the WSL.
BristolPost takes you through the match's talking points.
City on right side of promotion battle
After two long years outside of the WSL, City have reinstated their WSL status.
For those football narrative enthusiasts, City's cuts a compelling tale. The last time Ashton Gate hosted a club record women’s crowd, top-flight promotion was celebrated but while Bristol City Women found themselves on the wrong end of that revelry nearly 12 months to the day, this time around, the Robins were adamant in not falling err of that elusive and fickle line.
Bristol City Women are officially WSL bound after their 4-0 victory. It’s a meticulously crafted two-year recovery story that can be traced directly back to Lauren Smith’s hiring to the club as head coach in June 2021 after the side’s relegation from the English top-flight.
Pressure mounts early but City show mettle
As if a potential return to the WSL was not enough of a pressurised prospect, rivals Birmingham City upped the ante before City kicked off at BS3, having defeated Durham 2-1 and leaving just a measly point separating the pair.
The deficit was, of course, notional, but it’s the intangibles in this game that prove definitive. Dropped points against Charlton Athletic would mean an undesirable all-or-nothing finale against Birmingham City.
Whether City could rise to the occasion in front of a club record crowd proved the ultimate litmus test for their WSL credentials. A sloppy opening 20 minutes punctuated by earnest chances suggested City were still trying to find their rhythm, but the opener from Clinton settled the nerves – and subsequently signalled the start of the Bristol City drums.
And though Harrison's second seemed to suggest the game belonged to the home side, City showed a grit in defence that has proved key in their promotion charge this season.
The reinstatement of Vicky Bruce after suspension coupled by Rachel Furness' stalwart performance in the defensive midfield role and an authoritative display in goal from Fran Bentley, including a stellar save early in the second-half to deny Melissa Johnson from close range, cut City into difficult contenders not only capable of making the step up to the next division, but ready to do so.
Clinton provides critical edge and proves City recruitment strength
The start to the match followed a frustrating script: City boasting possession but struggling to create chances. Ella Powell on the right wing posed the greatest threat, while centurion Harrison had some sniffs.
But where a clinical edge had evaded them for 25 minutes, Clinton arrived. A heavy touch from Skeels as Birmingham attempted to play out from the back sees the United loanee feast on the error. Clinton needed only a moment to compose herself in the box before slipping her shot under a spread Rodgers and turning in knowing celebration.
The goal marked Clinton’s sixth Championship goal of the season and further testament to the savvy recruitment by Smith’s staff to bring in the promising England international.
Harrison celebrates centurion status in style
Abi Harrison's 100th appearance was announced shortly before the initial whistle blew, and it was inevitable that the 25-year-old would play some impactful role in a goal.
A few sniffs in the first half left that certainty in question, but Harrison wasted no time come second half as a minute after the restart her in-swinger curled over the bar and into the far post to double City's advantage and deliver a serious blow to Charlton's gurgling hopes at the restart.
Harrison's last goal for City arrived in early March, but her impact within this season's promotion-charge transcends raw stats. A goal, however, does feel more than fitting.
Corners prove the happy place
Both of City’s second-half goals arrived from corners, and the Robins were unlucky not to see a third, with substitute Chloe Mustaki’s attempt from the left headed over the bar.
But after Harrison scored directly from her opener shortly after the restart, Aspin found City’s third as she headed in Palmer’s curling ball from close range. The goal topped off an impressive defensive performance from the 17-year-old England youngster.
The celebrations were emotional, but with just over 10 minutes remaining, the goal all but secured WSL promotion.
Club record crowd relish
A total of 7,045 fans turned out at Ashton Gate, eclipsing City’s previous record of 5,752 from last season.
It’s a number that should be viewed as a definitive measuring stick for City’s success both on the pitch and off it. The appetite for women’s football has never been greater, but over the course of the year, attendances have disproportionately spread from the WSL’s upper echelons and those below.
City will be keen to ensure that with WSL promotion secured, the 6,000-plus fans who packed out Ashton Gate will return to watch the women’s games more regularly and such attendances are not annual events.
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