Bradford City Women 0

Barnsley Women 5

AFTER the abandoned midweek game against Leeds United due to a clash of heads, Bradford City were hoping for a positive result against table-topping Barnsley.

City's Chelsea Sandford, who suffered a large cut to the forehead in the clash, took a watching brief for the visit of Barnsley.

The South Yorkshire side were on the front foot from the start, making good use of the pitch and dominating the midfield.

However, City soaked up the pressure, although Barnsley did think they had the breakthrough after 16 minutes.

Left-back Amelia Hunt was on hand to clear the ball off the line after Routledge in the City goal was beaten.

Barnsley did eventually score from a corner on the half-hour, the ball somehow found its way through a crowded penalty area to be bundled home by the Barnsley striker.

At the start of the second half manager Steve Winterburn made two substitutions, introducing City top scorer Falone Sumaili and experienced defender Jenny Clark to the action.

This gave City a lift and more of an attacking threat, but it was Barnsley who profited again from a corner to double their lead with scrappy goal after the ball should have been cleared.

City were getting on the ball a lot more now and the game was getting physical. This lead to a couple of lengthy stoppages for treatment to home team players.

Barnsley went on to score three more goals, one of which was deep into stoppage time and all of which could and should have been avoided.

City did have some good spells of play in the second half and created several chances which on another day would have led to goals.

But when the final whistle blew it was Barnsley who came away with a comprehensive and well-deserved victory.