Bitton Ladies AFC (0) 0 Bath City Women 1st (0) 0 – Wednesday 11 December 2024 – Regen Arable SW Regional WFL Div 1N – Recreation Ground

Bitton Ladies AFC (0) 0 Bath City Women 1st (0) 0 – Wednesday 11 December 2024 – Regen Arable SW Regional WFL Div 1N – Recreation Ground

Match Report by Mark Stillman.

Bath City Women picked up a creditable point in a midweek draw at Bitton Ladies.

In a game rearranged following the weekend effects of Storm Darragh, City stood firm on a chilly evening to claim a draw their display merited.

The hosts had the better chances, largely at the end of the first half.

But Matt Abreu’s team worked exceptionally hard throughout to earn a clean sheet, while Bitton’s was their fifth in a row and 10th already this season in all competitions.

City started positively up the slope with Summer Hemmings’ ball from the right deflecting to Ashley Harris, but she slashed wide.

Libby Goater and Tara Taylor had efforts blocked from a resilient backline before Bitton started to gain control.

Abi Woodley-Marshall’s 30 yard free-kick cannoned off the crossbar and her header from Erin Jones’ corner was well tipped away by Sadie Farley.

Skye Coole curled just wide from distance for the hosts and Woodley-Marshall shot too close to Farley from Becki Sullivan’s clearance as they finished the half strongly.

The second period swung back in City’s favour as they were seldom troubled.

Kelly Cutler’s half volley was comfortably taken by Zoe Hodgson and Hemmings miscued off target after linking up with Goater.

Goater’s pot shot from 25 yards was claimed by Hodgson as City showed more threat but the hosts’ goalkeeper was superbly protected, a theme replicated at the other end.

The best chance of the half fell to the hosts as Coole shot wide on the counter but the winner for either side would have been harsh in a well-fought contest.

City return to action at the weekend for their 50th competitive fixture, where they’ll host Cirencester Town Ladies.

City’s Line-Up: Farley; Key, Bellotti, Fry, Duffy; Harris, Spratt; Hemmings, Goater, Taylor; Clarke. Subs used: Gray, Trivett, Cutler, Thorner-Atkinson.

Scorers: City – none; Bitton – none

City Bookings: Goater (12), Harris (79)

Referee: Justin Cox