Bristol City 4 (Robinson 23’ Aspin 41’ Hardy 44’ Dafeur 56’) Wolves 2 (Hughes 7’ 78’)
Wolves Women suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Bristol City, despite a spirited second-half performance and two outstanding goals from Amber Hughes.
The visitors made a bright start and continued to push for a way back into the game after the break, but the Robins ultimately secured all three points.
Wolves got off to the perfect start in the seventh minute as Hughes found the back of the net from close range after Jasmine Matthews headed back across goal.
The game quickly became a physical contest, with a flurry of fouls resulting in yellow cards for both Matthews and Bristol City’s Rio Hardy.
After a heavy spell of pressure following the opener, the hosts responded in the 23rd minute through Katie Robinson, who levelled the scores with a powerful strike into the top-right corner.
The Wolves goalscorer continued to threaten the City backline, driving into the box five minutes later, but could not find the end product to retake the lead.
However, Robins extended their lead by two just before the break after strikes from Brooke Aspin and Hardy, leaving Wolves with a huge challenge going into the second half.
Half Time | Bristol City 3-1 Wolves
The opening stages of the second half saw chances at both ends of the pitch, as Emily Orman was called into action, before promising corners set-pieces posed an issue for the hosts.
However, the Robins extended their lead in the 56th minute when Marine Dafeur found the net after Wolves failed to clear their lines.
Despite a dangerous delivery from Mel Filis failing to find a final touch, Hughes added a second goal to her tally with a superb finish in the 78th minute, curling the ball into the top corner.
The goal gave the Old Gold some late momentum; however, Bristol City were able to control the tempo of the closing stages, as the hosts held onto their 4-2 lead.
Wolves face a quick turnaround as they host WSL side Brighton and Hove Albion at the SEAH Stadium in the Subway Players’ Cup on Wednesday.
Full Time | Bristol City 4-2 Wolves
Bristol City | Bentley, Lawley, Robinson, Hardy (Farrugia 70’), Lindström, Apostolakis, Syme, Meena (Ingle 70’), Morgan, Dafeur (Bissell 84’), Aspin (Wos 84’)
Unused Subs | Brzykcy, Hebard, Giddinigs, Savile, Hughes
Wolves | Orman, Matthews (Jenner 70’), Marshall, Hughes, Olding (George 66’), Sims, Daniëls, Roberts, Francis (Morphet 66’), Williams, Worsey (Filis 70’)
Unused Subs | Brooks, Proctor, Anderson, Jones, O’Hanlon
