Struggling Bristol City battle for Liverpool draw

2 years ago 36

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Amalie Thestrup scores the opening goal for Bristol City

Bristol City missed the chance to earn a second Women's Super League win of the season after being pegged back by Liverpool at Prenton Park.

City led when Liverpool failed to fully clear a corner in the 50th minute, and Abi Harrison's scuffed shot was turned in by Amalie Thestrup from close range.

But the Reds drew level six minutes later, Sophie Roman Haug flicking home a near-post header.

City remain bottom of the WSL table, below West Ham on goal difference.

Liverpool sit fifth, four points outside the Champions League places.

Only leaders Chelsea have picked up more home points in the WSL this season than Liverpool, but manager Matt Beard's previously impressive Reds were frustrated by the disciplined visitors.

Relive coverage of Liverpool v Bristol City and the rest of Sunday's Women's Super League action

Thestrup keeps City firing

The best chances of a low-quality first half both fell to City defender Naomi Layzell - she struck into the side netting and was then unable to control Amy Rodgers' ball into the box, allowing Grace Fisk to clear over her own bar.

City then took the lead through former Liverpool player Thestrup, following a succession of three corners in the space of four minutes.

It was Thestrup's fifth WSL goal of the season - accounting for half of City's total of 10 league strikes.

This, along with a change of personnel and shape from Beard, finally woke Liverpool up, with Roman Haug again providing the impetus. The Norwegian has now been involved in five of their last seven WSL goals, scoring three.

But they could not find a winner, and while City are still yet to keep a clean sheet in the league since their return to the WSL - severely hampering their efforts to avoid an immediate return to the Championship - they earned what could be a key point in their battle against the drop.

They almost snatched all three points, with home keeper Teagan Micah making a fine reaction save to deny Harrison, but were grateful in second half stoppage-time to their own goalkeeper Clark as she saved Missy Bo Kearns' 25-yard strike which was heading for the top corner.

Line-ups

Liverpool Women

Formation 3-5-2

16Micah
17Clark
23BonnerBooked at 46mins
4FiskBooked at 55minsSubstituted forParryat 85'minutes
2KoivistoSubstituted forLawleyat 54'minutes
18HollandSubstituted forLundgaardat 85'minutes
14HöbingerSubstituted forKearnsat 64'minutes
8Nagano
12HindsBooked at 22mins
19van de SandenSubstituted forKiernanat 65'minutes
10Haug

Substitutes

1Laws
5Fahey
7Kearns
9Kiernan
11Lawley
15Lundgaard
20Daniels
32Parry
35Taylor

Bristol City Women

Formation 5-4-1

13Clark
2Powell
4Layzell
6Connolly
12Mustaki
11Napier
24MorganSubstituted forHaylesat 86'minutes
8Rodgers
16Syme
17ThestrupBooked at 43mins
7HarrisonBooked at 12minsSubstituted forWardat 71'minutes

Substitutes

3Struck
9Hayles
15Bull
27Woolley
28Teisar
29Ward
41Haaland

Live Text

Match ends, Liverpool Women 1, Bristol City Women 1.
Second Half ends, Liverpool Women 1, Bristol City Women 1.
Corner, Liverpool Women. Conceded by Naomi Layzell.
Attempt blocked. Gemma Bonner (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Missy Kearns with a cross.
Corner, Liverpool Women. Conceded by Olivia Clark.
Attempt saved. Missy Kearns (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Fuka Nagano.
Corner, Liverpool Women. Conceded by Naomi Layzell.
Foul by Sofie Lundgaard (Liverpool Women).
Ella Powell (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool Women).
Jamie-Lee Napier (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Mari Ward (Bristol City Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
Substitution, Bristol City Women. Shania Hayles replaces Ffion Morgan.
Substitution, Liverpool Women. Lucy Parry replaces Grace Fisk.
Substitution, Liverpool Women. Sofie Lundgaard replaces Ceri Holland.
Offside, Liverpool Women. Leanne Kiernan is caught offside.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool Women).
Offside, Bristol City Women. Mari Ward is caught offside.
Offside, Liverpool Women. Sophie Haug is caught offside.