Match Report: Barnsley 3-3 WCWFC

It was the hosts that had the first chance after ten seconds, but the striker couldn’t connect to the ball, and Kirsty Bridgwater in the City net saw the threat off comfortably.  

Three minutes later, City were awarded a free kick, however, Annie Highway’s effort went over the bar. 

The hosts had an effort a couple of minutes later with a shot from just outside the area that went just over the bar. 

In the eighth minute, Bridgwater pulled off an outstanding save in goal as she tipped a direct free kick bound for the top corner onto the bar. 

City took the lead in the 14th minute after the skipper, Jess Fassnidge, hit one into the net after the ball broke to her in the box. 

Unfortunately, the hosts struck back straight away with a shot from distance, that flew over Bridgwater into the net. 

Moments later, Barnsley struck the outside of the post straight from a corner. 

In the 24th minute, Barnsley threatened again aftegetting through down the right channel, however, the effort went over the bar. 

Five minutes later, City retook the lead after Eva Flitney played an excellent ball to Chloe Bellamy, who broke the offside trap and squared it to Olivia Mitcham at the far post for a tap-in. 

Bellamy almost got City’s third of the contest in the 35th minute after she broke free, but the Barnsley keeper made the save.

In the 40th minute, the hosts looked like they were going to draw level after a header was going in, but Bethan Marriott cleared off the line with some outstanding defensive work. 

Heading into the second half, the hosts immediately drew level in the 47th minute after City failed to deal with a corner, and the ball was headed home. 

In the 51st minute, Bridgwater was forced into a comfortable save down to her right. 

Eight minutes later, Barnsley took the lead in a carbon copy of their equaliser at the start of the half, after City failed to deal with a corner, only this time the ball was stabbed home. 

There was a massive chance for City in the 83rd minute after the ball was played back to Esme Harris, but her shot went wide. 

It was Harris again moments later; however, her curled effort went wide of the post. 

In added time, Chloe Bellamy hit one in the top of the net to draw City level, but City’s pressure over the last five minutes prevailed. 

Bridgwater was forced into a great save in extra time, and at the other end, Fassnidge almost got the winner at the back stick. 

With the result from today and Solihull’s 7-1 loss to Northampton Town, our National League status has been confirmed for the 25/26 season! Next up is the final game of the season as we welcome Lincoln City to Sixways on Sunday, 27th April, with a scheduled kick-off time of 14:00 pm.