Bristol City Women get pleasing win after boss 'angry' with first half

City conceded in the first minute at Ashton Gate and disappointed their head coach for the duration of the opening period, but improved dramatically after the break and took victory thanks to goals from Lotta Lindstrom and Sophie Ingle.

Head coach Healy told the City media team: “I’m really pleased with the three points. We had to work really hard for that one today.

“I was pleased with the reaction from the group in that second half. It was why we won the game.

“We were not happy with that first-half performance. We did a lot of what we spoke about not doing. I was really disappointed and angry, but I am so proud of the response in that second half. We had more fight and more determination and more aggression, and we were braver with the ball.”

City had the first effort of the game through Maria Farrugia, yet they still managed to concede inside the first 60 seconds as Ellie Brazil cut the ball back for teammate Freya Jupp to fire Southampton ahead.

The Saints could easily have been several goals clear at the break, but they did not take their chances and were made to pay in the second half.

Just 11 minutes after the break, skipper Emily Syme had a good effort well-saved by goalkeeper Grace Moloney, but the loose ball fell for Lindstrom to guide home. And 11 minutes from time, City scored the winner. Esther Morgan picked out her fellow Wales cap with a cross, and Ingle brought it down nicely before firing into the bottom corner of the net.

With the women’s international break upcoming, City are not back in action until Sunday, October 18, when they host Southampton once again, this time in the Women’s Players Cup group stages.