UPDATE: Bristol City Women delivered an electrifying performance, defeating Ipswich Town 7-0 at Ashton Gate, propelling them to second place in the WSL 2 standings. Head coach Charlotte Healy expressed her delight, stating the team has “set a standard” with their dominating display.
The Robins stormed out of the gate, scoring three goals within the first 14 minutes. Sophie Ingle, Rio Hardy, and Lexi Lloyd-Smith all found the net early, establishing a commanding lead. Maria Farrugia added another before halftime, pushing the score to 4-0.
After the break, Hardy and Ingle each secured braces, while academy graduate Isabel Hebard capped the scoreline with her first goal in stoppage time. This emphatic victory marks Bristol’s fourth consecutive unbeaten match, showcasing their relentless pursuit of excellence.
Healy praised her squad’s attitude and performance, stating, “[I’m] delighted with so much of today to be honest. It’s very easy to take your foot off the gas, but we can’t do that.” The team demonstrated a fierce determination to maintain their momentum as they prepare for future challenges.
The match saw an impressive start, with Ingle heading in from a corner within the first seven minutes. Farrugia’s assist set up Hardy for the second goal, and Lloyd-Smith quickly followed with a well-placed shot past Ipswich goalkeeper Natalia Negri.
Despite Ipswich’s attempts to respond, including a near-miss from Jenna Dear, Bristol’s defense held strong. Farrugia’s stunning strike from outside the box sealed the first-half score, while Hardy capitalized on defensive errors to add to the tally in the second half.
As the score mounted, the Robins remained focused, with Healy stressing the importance of consistency. She noted, “We have to make sure that we continue to reach that [standard]. There are things that we want to tidy up and things that we can be a little bit better with.”
Looking ahead, Bristol City Women will face a critical challenge next weekend against league leaders Charlton Athletic. Healy emphasized the need for her team to train rigorously to maintain their confidence and performance levels.
This win positions Bristol City Women as serious contenders in the WSL 2, with fans eager to see how they build on this momentum moving forward. The excitement following this decisive victory is palpable, and supporters are already buzzing about the upcoming clash with Charlton.
Stay tuned for more updates as Bristol City Women continue their impressive campaign!
