Women's Report: Bristol City 0-2 Saints
Southampton FC Women ended their Bristol City curse with a controlled 2-0 win at Ashton Gate in the Barclays Women's Super League 2.
Goals in stoppage time of each half earned the three points, as Tegan McGowan struck first before Ellie Brazil sealed things late on, to secure Saints' first league win over Bristol City and a deserved response after two defeats against the Robins in league and cup this season.
McGowan's first half close range finish put Saints one up at the break, before Brazil lobbed the goalkeeper to rubber stamp a strong performance with a result to match.
Looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat against Newcastle last time out, Simon Parker made two changes as McGowan, who scored her first goal for the club in that game, and Ellie Hack were drafted in to start.
Saints' starters at Ashton Gate (Photos: George Marriott)
Saints started with intent at Ashton Gate, as a pair of early set pieces caused trouble for Bristol City's defence.
First, a wide free-kick from Jess Simpson drifted just out of reach of Atlanta Primus' head before McGowan tested Fran Bentley in the home net moments after.
Then, still inside the first five minutes, a Tara Bourne corner was headed back across goal by Hack as a melee in the area saw the ball poked just wide of the post.
The contest levelled out as the first half wore on and the hosts gathered some momentum; Emily Syme charged down the left and pulled a cross back to Katie Robinson in the area, who saw her shot blocked by a sliding Simpson before sending the follow up straight into Fran Stenson's gloves.
A Syme corner then caused momentary nerves as Cecilie Struck's header looped onto the roof of the net before, at the other end, Mary Bashford blasted a volley over from inside the box after Saints pushed back in numbers.
Just as the first half seemed set to end level, Saints struck the opener as McGowan notched her second goal in as many games.
The winger darted down the left and sent a low cross towards Atlanta Primus who, at the second time of asking, returned the ball perfectly back towards McGowan to finish at full stretch.
Tegan McGowan scores Saints' opener.
Much like the first period, Saints started strongly in the second half and kept their hosts at arms length well.
A neat team move ended in Megan Collett finding room in the area to cut the ball back towards Aimee Palmer, who misjudged her effort on the run - the ball was only half cleared to Chloe Peplow whose resulting effort from the edge of the box was saved.
Saints were building their momentum and maintained a constant threat going forwards, inside the final 15 minutes some high pressure on the edge of the box caused a turnover of possession as Primus looked to punish but had her low shot saved.
Bristol City struggled to threaten Fran Stenson's goal as a strong team performance from Simon Parker's side went the distance, as the result was sealed as the game entered second half stoppage time.
Primus, again involved in a crucial passage, lofted a perfectly weighted ball over the defence for Brazil to chase and lob the goalkeeper, sparking deserved celebrations on the pitch and substitutes bench alike.
Saints returned to winning ways to tighten the gap to just two points in the race for the league's promotion play-off place and enter the international break in positive spirits.
Bristol City: Bentley, Powell (Morgan 85'), Struck, Woś, (Lawley 72') Ward, Ingle, Losada (c) (Jones 72'), Lloyd-Smith (Hardy 60'), Robinson (Farrugia 85'), Gale, Syme.
Subs not used: Burns, Brzykcy, Saez.
Goals: N/A.
Saints: Stenson, Collett, Hack (Goddard 82'), Bourne, Simpson, Peplow (McAlonie 60'), Bashford, Palmer, McGowan (Tucker 89'), Brazil, Primus (c).
Subs not used: Pettit, Brown, Watts, Roberts, Edwards, Archibald.
Goals: McGowan (45+2'), (Brazil 90+1').
Yellow cards: Peplow (43'), Palmer (84').
Attendance: TBC.
