Bristol City maintained their unbeaten run at the top of the Women’s Championship with a 3-1 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, as Shania Hayles and Abi Harrison continue to grow their partnership in the Robins attack.
A brace for Hayles either side of half-time and a cool second-half finish from strike partner Harrison was just reward for a City side who controlled the midfield to frustrate their hosts.
City were second-highest scorers in the Championship last season with 43, with Harrison finishing with the Golden Boot on 17 goals, but with Hayles now also in attack, Lauren Smith's side are developing a dual goalscoring threat.
The home side battled throughout and a late goal from substitute Mia Enderby finally brought some reward at the end of the game. With 12 league goals this season already United might have hoped for more but could not breach the league’s most miserly defence further.
"It’s good to get the three points to stay top of the league and everyone put in a shift today and it was a good performance all round," Hayles said. “Solid at the back, I think obviously we’re disappointed to concede because we want to keep clean sheets but it happens, but apart from that I think we were solid today.
“We’re a family here and that’s the big thing about the club. Everyone sticks together, no matter what, on and off the pitch, all the time."
There were few clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges, but eventually the relentless pressing of the away side saw them rewarded with Hayles’ first goal after 40 minutes.
A press on the United right won her possession and despite a heavy touch on the run to goal, the forward slipped the ball under Bethan Davies from six yards out for a third goal of this league campaign.
The striker then doubled her account just after the break after a jinking run and cross down the right-hand side from Ella Powell troubled the home defence who couldn’t clear and Hayles pounced to finish from under the crossbar.
A through ball to Harrison saw the Scottish international spin then dink home from the edge of the box.
The Blades scored through Enderby late on, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.
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