City edged out in seven goal thriller

Bath City Women opened their league campaign with an eventful 4-3 defeat against Stockwood Wanderers at Twerton Park this afternoon. The visitors opened the scoring on six minutes when Blenkinsopp intercepted a poor back pass to set up Lauren Phillips for an easy finish into a unguarded net. City were back level with two minutes when Tara Taylor curled home a shot from just inside the area. Stockwood restored their lead in the 19th minute as Blenkinsopp set up Whitmarsh to lift a shot over Sadie Farley. Ten minutes later Whitworth made it 3-1 when she disposed Summer Hemmings before sending a low shot past Farley. Into the second half both sides has chances to add to the scoring before on 69 minutes Ashley Harris was bundled over just inside the area and Koz Thorner-Atkinson netted from the penalty spot. Stockwood were reduced to ten players eight minutes later when Erin Vowles was dismissed for kicking out at Libby Goater. Within two minutes the scores were level, Taylor firing a 30-yard shot into the top corner. Straight from the kick off, though, Whitworth broke clear and rolled the ball past Farley to complete her hat-trick and put her side back in front. And this was how it stayed despite late pressure from the Romans.