Bath City Women 1st (0) 1 Purton Women (0) 1 – Sunday 24 September 2023 – South West WFL Eastern Division – Twerton Park
Match Report by Fin Harlow.
Bath City Women’s dominant performance was left unrewarded after being held at home to Purton.
Sophie Bull’s first goal for the club broke the deadlock but they conceded just two minutes later when forward Emma Skinner headed home.
Tanea Wright missed a great opening in the end to snatch victory as City were forced to settle for a second draw in two home games.
In a first half devoid of any clear openings, Bath captain Tara Taylor’s 13th minute shot from outside the box was the closest the home side came to scoring as it sailed just over Shona Moore’s crossbar.
The second saw more chances arrive as City upped the tempo without being at their fluent best. Taylor’s burst down the right saw her telling ball nudged on by Hari Sabic but Amy Key was unable to touch home at the far post on the stretch.
On the hour, the Romans went close again when Tamzin Dunne skipped down the right, her cross was palmed onto the crossbar by Moore before being scrambled away.
The deadlock was finally broken by substitute Bull. Mils Bellotti’s teasing free-kick was only partially gloved by Moore and Bull joyfully slammed home at the far post.
Bath’s lead didn’t last for long as straight from kick-off the away side won a corner, which was expertly delivered by Skye Peters to Skinner, who headed the ball past Sadie Farley from six yards.
Wright had the opportunity to seal all three points for the home side in the 85th minute. Having remained onside from Taylor’s pass, the forward skewed off target with Moore to beat.
The point is Purton’s first of the campaign while City remain winless ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Gloucester.
City’s Line-Up: Farley, Black, Curtis, Bellotti, Gray, Taylor, Harris, Goater, E Dellow, Sabic, Key. Subs Used: Giles, Wright, Dunne, Pearce, Bull.
Scorers: City – Bull (68); Purton – Skinner (70)
Referee: Brian Bishop