Bristol City 3-0 Blackburn Rovers: Captain Abi Harrison leads Vixens to comfortable win

Captain Abi Harrison inspired her team to the win with a telling cross for Helen Seed’s own goal, before scoring in the second-half to ensure the win. On-loan Chelsea teenager Aggie Beever-Jones also found the net.

The win lifts Lauren Smith’s side up to fifth in the standings, six points off of league leaders Liverpool.

Played on Women’s Football Weekend - the match was played in front of 3053 spectators, making it the highest attended home match for the Vixens.

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In her team selection, Lauren Smith made three changes with Gwen Davies earning her first-start, whilst Fran Bentley took her place in between the sticks with Flo Allen the other change.

From the kick-off, Bristol City controlled the tempo of the first-half and carved an early opportunity. Blackburn failed to clear their lines as the ball fell to Melissa Johnson who skimmed her shot onto the crossbar.

Moments later, Ava Kuyen’s well delivered free-kick was flicked on at goal but Harrison in a half attempt to open the scoring.

City’s game plan was to catch Rovers over the top and they made another chance from it, with Flo Allen’s cross meeting Johnson’s head but Alexandra Brooks was unchallenged.

Five minutes before half-time, the wait for a goal in front of the bumper crowd was ended with captain Harrison involved. Chloe Bull played in the skipper and her powerful cross was turned in by Helen Seed.

After the restart, there was an early chance for Blackburn, who had been restricted to long-distance shots. Annabel Blanchard on the edge of the box put her attempt over the bar.

Aggie Beever-Jones then tried to put a marker on the game. She first dazzled past with her quick feet to get the ball to Harrison whose effort was unleashed onto Brooks. Beever-Jones then had an opportunity of her own, forcing the goalkeeper to block with her legs from a narrow-angled shot.

There was a real drive and desire to secure an insurance goal and City almost got it. Kuyken on the edge of the box drove a shot onto the crossbar, then Johnson hit the side netting as the ball dropped.

The hosts continued to threaten and drew a further save out of Brooks, this time Bull, who was commanding in midfield, bent her free-kick over the wall, forcing another save.

A second goal did finally come and it came as no surprise that Beever-Jones and Harrison were involved. City’s wing wizard found space again, she tried to place an effort into the goal but made the keeper palm her shot into the path of Harrison, who slid home on the rebound.

Immediately from the kick-off, another attack came, Beevers-Jones in a closer position stroked a shot onto the post in a game where she deserved a goal for her performance.

For all her persistence, she was finally rewarded with a goal and City’s third. In the box once more but on her opposite side, she dinked her shot home.

Abi Harrison, who played in the previous match with over 3000 spectators, was given a warm reception as she was withdrawn for debutant Lily Greenslade. Later on, Maddi Wilde also made her first outing, replacing Gwen Davies.

To top off the performance, City were able to deal with Rovers’ searches for a consolation goal and thus secured a clean sheet for the first time at home this season.

Bristol City Women: Fran Bentley, Ella Powell, Brooke Aspin, Abi Harrison © (Lily Greenslade, 85). Ava Kuyken, Melissa Johnson (Izzy Cook, 75), Chloe Bull, Flo Allen, Gwen Davies (Maddi Wilde, 89), Aggie Beever-Jones, Satara Murray.

Goals: Helen Seed OG 38, Abi Harrison 70, Aggie Beever-Jones 79’

Blackburn Rovers Ladies: Alexandra Brooks, Natasha Penton, Helen Seed, Chloe Dixon (Lauren Thomas, 60), Saffron Jordan (C), Annabe Blanchard, Megan Hornby (Ellie Leek, 59), Kayleigh McDonald, Hannah Coan, Millie Chandarana (Chloe Williams, 59), Farah Crompton (Chelsey Jukes, 46)

Yellow Cards: Megan Hornby 9, Saffron Jordan 49, Helen Seed 87’

Attendance: 3053