If promotion to the Women's Super League is won at the end of a blistering Championship season, Bristol City Women will certainly need to recall matches like this.
A slow start turned into a comfortable 3-0 win as goals from Gracie Pearse, Grace Clinton and an own-goal by Durham’s Becky Salicki extended the Robin’s winning streak to five matches in the league.
The victory keeps Lauren Smith’s side six points clear of their rivals London City Lionesses in their hunt for the WSL promised land. And while a home win and clean sheet over a team ranked eighth in the league is far from an acid test of City’s potential top-flight mettle, but it certainly builds momentum as Smith’s head into an exacting final stretch of fixtures in which they face the three teams clamouring just beneath them all away from home.
READ MORE: Bristol City Women could extend four-match winning streak with WSL promotion on the line
Smith made one change from City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, opting for the experience of Rachel Furness at the expense of Mari Ward.
It wasn’t complete control from Bristol City, whose cagey and disjointed start proved difficult to shake as the first-half unfolded. That the largest cheer elicited from the home crowd in regular time arrived as Durham’s Dee Bradley saw yellow for dissent in the 40th minute was testament to the largely underwhelming attacking performance Smith’s side had to offer.
Durham played their part in making things difficult, cheerfully playing through Bristol’s press and doing well to use Jess Clarite’s pace on the counter. The visitors very nearly took the lead in the 12th minute with a delightfully-worked attack, but Fran Bentley was there to smother the chance. Minutes later, Durham once again found themselves on the end of a chance but glanced their header wide.
Welsh wingbacks Ella Powell and Ffion Morgan offered City promise, as did Manchester United loanee Clinton when able to get on the ball. But sloppiness and poor decision making across the front left Durham keeper Naoisha McAloon without a save to make as the first-half crested into injury time.
Nevertheless, City found the goal they needed in first-half injury time as Harrison’s flick-on was bundled into the net by Becky Salicki.
Whatever caginess threatened to undermine the Robins in the first-half was duly abandoned in the second as the league leaders asserted the sort of dominance expected of them. Shania Hayles should’ve doubled City’s lead 10 minutes after the restart as Morgan played her through on the counter, but her first touch betrayed her and the cross went out for a corner.
And Pearse ensured that no wasted chances were rued as she latched onto a ricochet in the box and hooked a shot into the roof of the net.
City were firmly in the ascendency from then, with plenty of chances breaking on the counter as confidence mounted. Harrison broke through Durham’s defence and forced McAloon into a diving save after a one-two with Syme. Hayles splintered forward soon after and McAloon once again was called into action.
And 15 minutes from time, Clinton etched her name on the scoresheet as she headed in from close-range after her original volley was parried back at her by McAloon.
City were called into a strong defensive performance to see out the final 10 minutes as Durham notched up the intensity.
RATINGS:
Fran Bentley 9
A busy first-half for the keeper who showed plenty of aplomb to ensure that her side were on the right side of the 1-0 scoreline heading into the interval. Showed good awareness when needing to come off her line and plenty of composure in distributing from the back. Made a good save 20 minutes from time.
Gracie Pearse 9
Playing on the right of the back three, the Spurs loanee was composed on the ball, not afraid to get forward in Durham half and constantly look to thread balls between the lines. Rewarded for her good defensive performance with a sublime goal in the second half to fire Bristol City into a 2-0 lead. Subbed in the 66th minute.
Naomi Layzell 8
Anchoring the back three, Layzell organised her backline and did well to stave off Durham’s first-half salvos. Solid in challenges and won important battles to make it four clean sheets on the bounce for City.
Vicky Bruce 8
On the left of the back three, Bruce was kept plenty busy with Durham’s Jess Clarite. Made good challenges to frustrate Durham’s attackers and played a pivotal role in notching City’s fourth successive clean sheet.
Ella Powell 7
Constantly looked to take on defenders and was a threat on the left with her crosses into the box. Skimmed the crossbar in the first half with a cross-cum-shot. Defensively put in the miles and played a pivotal role in blunting Durham’s more promising attacks.
Rachel Furness 5
The Republic of Ireland international was reinstated at the base of midfield in front of the back three. Struggled to keep up with Durham’s tempo at times. Substituted at half-time.
Ffion Morgan 8
The Wales international caused plenty of problems for Durham with her pace on the right but found herself forced into a defensive position more than she might’ve liked. Got to show off more in the second-half and should have had an assist as she released Hayles for a fantastic opportunity on the counter. Subbed on the 66th minute.
Grace Clinton 8
When on the ball, the Manchester United loanee showed her quality as she looked to push the attack forward. Showed more of a threat as the game wore on and when allowed to take on defenders one-on-one. Had chances at goal but finally got her goal 15 minutes from time to mark her fifth goal for City this season.
Emily Syme 7
The 22-year-old did well to offer a constant outlet in build-up and tracked back well. Industrious off the ball and worked well with Palmer in the second-half to levy more control in the centre of the park.
Abi Harrison 7
The Scotland international struggled to assert her dominance in the first half, though she did well to drop deep and help build up play from the back. Not the cleanest of first halves, but it was Harrison’s flick on from the Bristol City free-kick that eventually found the back of the net. Continued to threaten throughout the second-half and forced McAloon into plenty of diving saves.
Shaina Hayles 6
Showed most of a threat when released on the counter when able to use her pace but her decision-making undermined the good runs she was making. Had a brilliant chance to put City 2-0 if not for a heavy first touch.
Subs:
Aimee Palmer 7
Subbed in for Furness for the second-half. Showed more dominance in midfield and leveraged the match in City’s favour. Solid performance in comeback from a short stint on the sidelines due to injury.
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