Match Report: Bristol City 3-1 London City Lionesses

Bristol City handed London City Lionesses their second league defeat of the season to erase the points difference at the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship.

The Lionesses went blow for blow with the Robins in the opening minutes but fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Robins High Performance Centre.

London City started to tilt the field in their favour at the five-minute mark, forcing Bristol City into a defensive crouch.

In the minutes that followed, an intense midfield battle was fought.

Lily Agg’s yellow card served as a reminder of the stakes involved, with both squads refusing to yield an inch for their battle for supremacy.

The Lionesses carved out a couple of decent chances before the break, including a fierce shot from Sarah Ewens that forced Fran Bentley into action.

However, it was Shania Hayles who broke the deadlock, beating Shae Yanez with driven shot into the bottom corner after 34 minutes.

But London City weren’t behind for long.

Nikita Runnacles’ side bounced back from disappointment quickly, winning a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area just moments after they fell behind.

Shanade Hopcroft was tasked with delivering the set-play and executed to perfection, with Agg scoring the night's second goal.

The Lionesses continued to pressurise their opponents in the final moments of the half, but entered the break with the score level.

However, Bristol City returned from half-time and seized the momentum.

Grace Clinton scored just before the hour-mark to retake the lead for the hosts, with Ffion Morgan doubling their advantage three minutes later.

London City rolled the dice in the final minutes, with Bentley forced into acrobatic stops by Kyra Carusa and Hopcroft, but couldn't quite find twine.

“We were okay in terms of our performance,” said interim head coach Runnacles. “We played some really good football where we could have caused them some more trouble.

"We’re disappointed with some of the decisions that didn’t quite go our way because you need that little bit of luck in games like this.

“The great thing about football is that we’re back on the pitch in four days. The focus now shifts to Birmingham City, after we reflect on tonight."