SOUTHAMPTON FC Women suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City at St Mary’s Stadium, courtesy of a late Lexi Lloyd-Smith goal on her return to the south coast.
Bristol City climb to third place in the Women’s Super League 2 table as a result, leapfrogging Simon Parker’s side who slip to fourth.
The visitors were forced into an early first-half substitution, with Ella Powell withdrawn due to injury and replaced by her Welsh international teammate Esther Morgan.
Ellie Brazil provided Southampton’s best opportunity of the half, slotting a ball through for Abigail Ferguson that forced a save from Bristol’s number one Fran Bentley.
Jess Simpson also saw her effort go just above the crossbar in a bid to open her Saints account, after providing an assist in each game of the Barclay’s WSL 2 campaign so far.
Approaching the end of the first-half, homegrown talent Megan Collett was replaced by Isabel Watts following an injury to the Southampton right-back.
Bristol City substitute Morgan’s long-range effort from a deflected free-kick remained the visitor’s best opportunity of the half.
During stoppage time, Ferguson tested Bentley once more, after a looping pass from captain Atlanta Primus. The game remained goalless entering the break.
Bristol City captain Emily Syme charged towards the Southampton box, setting up Mari Ward whose strike was blocked, early into the second half.
Just moments later, Ferguson and Michaela Mcalonie found themselves 2v1 deep into the Bristol area, with the latter’s effort just wide of the post to deny Southampton an opener.
The visitor’s singular change from their 2-0 victory vs. fellow south coast side Portsmouth was Vera Jones who saw her close range strike superbly saved by Fran Stenson.
In the 88th minute, Lloyd-Smith marked her return to St Mary’s with a goal, slotting home against her former side. She has now scored in back-to-back games after finding the back of the net in the exact same minute vs. Portsmouth last time out.
The Saints welcome high-flying Sunderland to the Silverlake Stadium next week (28 September), while Bristol City visit table toppers Birmingham City.
by @ChloBoyne
