Women's Under-21s suffer defeat to the Robins | OneFootball

Our Women’s Under-21s suffered a 6-2 defeat at Bristol City on Sunday afternoon in the Professional Game Academy League.

Midfielder Fran Hamer put us ahead midway through the first half after a strong start from Nick Hardy’s side, but three goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half saw the hosts go into the break with a two-goal advantage.

The Robins, who were sat fifth in the table ahead of the encounter, further extended their advantage after the restart to give them a comfortable cushion at home. Forward Persis Oteng cut the deficit with her ninth goal of the campaign, but the hosts netted a further two goals to secure the victory in the Professional Game Academy League.

The result means will spend phase two of the competition in Division Two alongside three other sides from the Southern Division and four from the Northern Division.

Reflecting on the performance against the Robins, Nick was pleased with the positive start to the game but felt the three goals in the space of 10 minutes shifted the momentum of the game.

“From what we asked from the players beforehand, it was the start that we kind of wanted and worked towards in the build-up to the game,” he told us. “It was also a unique situation having to play three games in seven games, so it was about managing to prepare them all with the game model. We were pretty pleased with the early parts of the game and we capitalised by scoring first to put us ahead, and we were comfortable with the position we were in.

“Bristol City were effective and powerful, they were direct but with quality, so we had to be sharp. Unfortunately, we let them back in the game with a penalty and then a couple of quick goals, which completely flipped the game on its head.

“We started relatively well after the break but, once again, with them scoring first in the second period, the momentum changed and it was tough. Ultimately the scoreline probably reflects the 90 minutes on the whole, we were happy with the first periods of each half but, as a group, we have to be better at sustaining those, better at managing the pressure and the quality of the opposition we are playing.”

Despite a disappointing scoreline in the penultimate game in phase one of the competition, Nick highlighted some key positives from game, including the return to the pitch for forward Cruz Fuller-Fagan.

“They’re still positives to take out of it and we are seeing strides in what we are trying to create and develop, individually and collectively,” he added. “We also look at the other big positives from the game, Cruz [Fuller-Fagan] got her first minutes for nearly six weeks, so that’s a really pleasing note for us.”