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The final away game of the season for the London City Lionesses saw them put in a highly impressive display against Bristol City, to move up into second place.
Heading into the game, London City were clearly looking to set the record straight, after Bristol narrowly edged past them at Princes Park.
Indeed, from the first whistle, the Lionesses looked to impose themselves on the game, closing down the home side with real intensity.
Just after 10 minutes, London City got the reward for their pressure.
Receiving the ball from the throw-in, Lucy Fitzgerald then played the ball into the box, where it took a deflection and landed at the feet of Atlanta Primus, who wasted no time in blasting it into the far corner.
The Lionesses didn’t have to wait long for their second either, with Lily Agg being brought down in the box by Satara Murray, just five minutes later.
The referee pointed to the spot, and Amy Rodgers stepped up to coolly slot it home, sending the Bristol keeper the wrong way.
The second goal however, seemed to galvanise the home side, with the Bristol supporters urging their team forward.
And with just over half an hour played, Bristol got one back, with captain Abbie Harrison getting on the end of a corner to poke a shot home, just past Shae Yanez in goal.
Yet with just a few minutes left of the first half, London City stuck once again.
This time, Rogers turned provider, as she picked up the ball in the Lionesses half, turned her marker, and played a looping ball over the top, into the path of Karin Muya, who took a touch and placed her shot beyond the Bristol keeper.
For the Lionesses, the second half yet again saw them dominate possession, with Bristol unable to retain possession long enough to maintain an attacking threat.
Primus proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the Bristol defence, linking well with Agg to get in on goal. Her best chance of the half came when she was played in one on one, but this time, the Bristol keeper proved equal to her, and saved her shot.
Agg was again a danger just a few minutes later, picked up on a loose ball by the Bristol backline to get a shot away, forcing the keeper into a fingertip save.
Going into the final 10 minutes, the home side changed shape and started to play with a bit more intensity up front, with Jesse Woolley coming closest to reducing the deficit for the home side.
But her header was calmly collected by Yanez, securing London City a massive three points.
Speaking after the game, manager Melissa Phillips had this to say on the result.
“It was a fantastic performance from the whole group,” said Phillips, “the goals came at the right time and we executed our game plan really well.”
“It was a tough game,” said midfielder Charlotte Fleming, “but we stuck to our core values, executed the game plan, and we got the three points.
“I'm really proud of the girls in the team and the shift that we put in to get a result against such a strong side.”
And whilst last week's performance against Lewes, showcased the defensive qualities in the team, Sunday’s performance was a real showcase of the attacking talent in the side.
“We've always been an attacking oriented team,” said Phillips, “and this was a game where we had three different goal scorers and three really good goals.
“First Atlanta, picking up a second phase ball and hammering home a finish, then Amy with the penalty, but it was, it was a nice little play off of a throw-in to draw it.
“The third goal was one that came at a really crucial time, and Amy is so good at being able to turn and get out of pressure.
“We knew that they play a really high backline and that was going to be something we could exploit, which that ball into Karin showed.”
Next up for the Lionesses, it’s back home to Princes Park to take on Blackburn Rovers in the final game of the season.
“It's another tough opposition,” said Fleming, “we don't know what they're going to throw our way, but we’ll be going into it all guns blazing.
“We want that second place in the league, and we're finally there, but it's about staying focused and executing everything that we put in throughout the season.”
“We have to be hungry,” said Phillips, “It's the final opportunity on our home pitch to make a statement and put a stamp on the league of what we're about and what we're striving to become.
“So, we have to go out and show a hungry, resilient, professional performance to cap off the season.”
London City Lionesses take on Blackburn Rovers on the 1st of May at 2:00pm at Princes Park! Click the link to get your tickets now!
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