New owners in attendance to see City Women open league season with win

First half goals from Rosie Burridge and Adella Clarke earned Bath City Women an opening day victory at Paulton Rovers this afternoon.

City nearly made a dream start when Abby Gray headed Sophie Storey’s corner over in the opening minute, before their positive opening was rewarded just past the quarter hour. Jess Evans’ ball from the left was helped back inside by Brooke Steventon-Smith to Burridge, whose fierce effort from 12 yards was too hot to handle for goalkeeper Emily Quinn. Kelsey Woodland nearly sliced Steventon-Smith’s cross into her own net before Paulton’s only clear opening of the half saw Lucy Clay react sharply to Alisha Stuart one-on-one, the keeper spreading herself well to block. Quinn’s wayward throw presented Clarke an open goal from 20 yards but she side-footed wide. The ex-Paulton striker made amends in the last minute of the half with a stunning goal. Bex Fry’s free-kick was headed out to Clarke, whose first time volley from 18 yards screamed into the roof of the net to give Quinn no chance.

Burridge should have made it three seconds after half-time but she could only loft Tara Taylor’s ball over with Quinn advancing. The City attacker was twice denied by superb Quinn blocks, the second a double save as she also bravely thwarted debutant Pearl Abboud. The game ended in unsavoury fashion when Alice Ford was sinbinned with referee Robin Connolly also instructing that a Paulton supporter should exit the venue for words aimed at the official. All-in-all an ideal way to wrap up the weekend under new ownership, with Andrew Stalbow, Richard Rivlin and Curt Smith all in attendance at Winterfield Road.