Sheffield United Women slipped to a seventh consecutive league defeat after being outclassed by Bristol City at Bramall Lane.
The visitors had been looking for their first league win in nearly a year after having a torrid season in the Women’s Super League last term in which they were relegated.
The Blades made four changes to their team that narrowly lost to Sunderland in midweek, with Rogers, Cowan, Lafayette and new signing Jade Bailey coming into the team.
Bristol City meanwhile made two changes, with keeper Fran Bentley returning to the team in the place of Jackie Burns, and Mari Ward stepping in to replace Jasmine Bull.
The visitors got off to a good start when after some early pressure, Lexi Lloyd-Smith turned home into the bottom right corner after just 13 minutes.
GET IN THERE!!!!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EJcUQ1SMPq
— Bristol City Women (@bristolcitywfc) October 6, 2024
Despite some positive play from the hosts, the Robins turned home again after half an hour when Ffion Morgan opened her account for the season after squeezing her effort under Blades keeper Sian Rogers.
The Robins continued to push for a third as the game headed towards half-time, but Eva Butler turned home in the dying seconds of the first half to give the Blades a hope of salvaging something, heading into the second half.
Any hope the Blades had of completing the comeback however, were extinguished relatively early in the second half.
Just three minutes after the interval, Emily Syme’s long range effort cannoning back off the crossbar to the feet of Amalie Thestrup, who turned home to extend the lead back to two goals just three minutes after the interval. Half-time substitute Abigail Harrison then made it four for the visitors shortly afterwards.
United grew into the second half and started to put the pressure on Bristol City as the game headed towards it’s conclusion.
Maria Ferrugia’s tireless runs down the left wing all afternoon were finally rewarded fifteen minutes from time with a good finish into the top right corner to reduce the deficit to two goals.
Maria finds the net for a second game in a row! ✨️
⚔️ 2-4 ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/XrDHxS6LnR
— Sheffield United Women (@sufc_women) October 6, 2024
It would prove to only be a consolation goal however, as Bristol saw out the remaining time on the clock to record their first win of the season.
Blades stay joint bottom, with the only team below them, newly-promoted Portsmouth, playing later in the day.
Next up for Sheffield United Women is a home game against Birmingham City, back at Bramall Lane, on Friday 11th October, with a 7pm kick-off.
Bristol City, meanwhile, next play on Sunday 13th October, where they entertain Blackburn Rovers at 2pm.
Full time: Blades 2-4 Bristol City
