Erithacus

Well that was a miserable first half.

Chelsea were all too capable of capitalising on our mistakes. Too often we had little composure or application and that caused some uncharacteristic errors. Baggers has not let us down much all season, but today was not the day. Daniels is normally better with her distribution and the marking was always going to be difficult against a team packed full of internationals.

Salmon has hardly seen the ball, and then about 40 yards from our own line. The midfield is reduced to a lot of shadow chasing. Once they got off to a bad start so early it forces them to drop back; that confines the play in our own back yard. If there is a chance to go forwards, they then leave some open areas for Chelsea to expoit. They have us where they want us.

However, it still is a terrible scoreline to be in with. Beard may have to make some serious changes, although I can't see it making any real difference. It will be about restoring some pride to take into the remainder of the league season. That's the priority.

Hoping for a good performance today, although the odds are not favourable. I suspect Chelsea will have some plans to isolate Salmon and make it difficult to get forwards. However, this team under Matt Beard has shaken off the early season form and aren't going to be a pushover.

It's been a while since our last final appearances. As the Academy, the girls were FA Cup finalists in 2011 and 2013, beaten in both by Arsenal. Ironically, during that era the 2012 final was held at Ashton Gate but that saw Birmingham beat Chelsea on penalties.

COYR! COYV!

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They don't play in the Toolstation, it's the WSL. And they don't play Toolstation teams.

First and foremost - a win, and a vital one at that! Moves us up above the Hammers although we are a game worse that those around us.

Secondly, a great team performance: so many good examples being set tonight. Evans was a rock and read everything, Salmon a constant threat and some solid efforts by some very young players. Could this be the moment the season takes off? I tip my hat to Matt Beard - he's got them working.

Hopefully this will inspire the team, Conti Cup Final on Sunday notwithstanding.

Mr Pearson, are you watching? Come to that, are the strikers?

Got caught a bit flat at the back there. A tight 15 minutes left.

Great finish! Good young player with real potential.

Ashton Gate - the two code stadium!

According to the Beeb, Reading had 67% possession, 13/4 shots to our 7/1. Still finely balanced though. One goal will swing it.

Good first half barring the mix-up for their goal.

I'm a little worried about the balance in the midfield. Our defenders are getting a toe in and breaking up the attacks, but when we do that it falls on the midfielders to bring the ball out and set up our attacks - that's not really happening and we are relying on some occasional speedy breaks.

Salmon not just a speed threat, she has vision too. Will be a tough job to keep her at the Gate for next season - must be attracting some interest from richer clubs.

Apart from the carve-up for the goal the girls are playing with confidence and committment. Will Reading revert to type and settle for the draw? It will be a 90 minute game tonight.

Need to correct my earlier post: Haz James has recently left Reading to go Stateside, so no chance of seeing her. However, it remains a test for the City girls and a point tonight would be seen as a point gained.

And who wants to look at the West Ham-Leeds game anyway?

COYR

Apart from being a vital opportunity to gather some points, it will be a chance to see some former Vixens, like Jess Fishlock, Haz James and Tash Harding. What we would give for some of their talents now. Reading have a good record this season but are not the most prolific of scorers.

Still, the game's under lights and on the box so fingers crossed for a result.

Game ends 1-1. Really just not enough to rise above the Hammers in the table. Encouraging to read the stats are not one-sided at all today, though.

After some surprise WSL results recently it becomes even more imperative for Wednesday's game against Spurs. Must win game, again.

1 hour ago, Robin Wood said:

Looks like Brighton have won at Chelsea 

Stunning result! Chelsea's unbeaten record for over 30 games is brought to a sudden halt. Shows how volatile the WSL can be and makes City's result even more important.

The obvious inference is that Oxtoby is yesterday's news, sadly. That indeed might be a bit of sticky situation come the end of the season. But for the time being it's a case of getting away from the trapdoor.

Off to a good start in a 'season-defining' game. Must keep the advantage now. Could this be the turning point? Has Beard got some extra incentive today?

With Villa's win yesterday and Brighton currently holding 1-1 against Chelsea this is a vital result.

Congratulations to the team and staff. Have to say I was not predicting a cup final appearance this season, but here we are - off to Vicarage Road and up against Chelsea! Hopefully this will rejunenate the league form and retain the top flight status. Despite the odd noises coming from Bristol Sport, we may still have a women's team worthy of proper support.

At last! Is this the beginning? Need to keep the momentum going now - there's a congested run of games coming up fast.

Hmm, floodlight pylons, no open air gents' toilet block and a lack of graffiti/targets on the Winterstoke car park wall must put this in the timeframe mentioned above.

Historical stuff like this shows us how far we have come.

Salmon denied hat-trick by a post. Suddenly the girls have a grip on the game for perhaps the first time this season. Is the is the Beard Effect?

Logarzo has played in 7 (1 sub) league games and 3 in cup matches this season, so the club will have to look to the squad to replace a regular. Also noted that the transfer was for 'an undisclosed fee'.

I wonder who Beard can bring in for the battles ahead.

Is this our new striker/midfielder/defender? Are they a relative of Scrumpy? (It's the orange nose.)

The admission that the costing (or lack of) is the prime concern at the club, ahead of any realistic desire to grow a good women's side, is disappointing. Of course, the financial aspect is always a governing factor (even before Covid) but the way the club appears to be happy to wave goodbye to the WSL is not what I want to be hearing. What is the long term plan? We have a good opportunity to establish a top class presence but one that seems to be too much to earn. What sort of message will this send out to any promising and upcoming girls?

I haven't gone through the recent accounts but just how much does the Women's side cost as a part of the overall budget? Is it too much to keep a place at the top table? Sad indeed.

4 minutes ago, Parkwaymom said:

I fear that even if they stay up she will be gone at the end of the season. 

Nurturing a top striker and then having to watch them grow at another club - there's an old story.

Make that four down.