Bradford City Women suffer league loss to Durham Cestria

The Bantams got off to a rough start within the first five minutes when Durham scored. This led to an onslaught by the Cestria women, taking chance after chance to score, but City’s keeper Hannah Richards stood her ground.

City struggled to keep up with Durham during the next 20 minutes, but wingback Ellie Prothero managed to take a strike at goal, forcing the keeper to save.

Richards once again had to step up to the plate as Durham countered but she made a comfortable save.

Play was stopped temporarily at the 35th minute when player and coach Charlotte Stuart collided with Durham’s number 19 Ellen Turnbull. Play resumed not long after both players were allowed to continue.

The break in play seemed to have helped City as the team quickly began to test Cestria’s defensive line, firstly by Zoe Roberts who broke free of the defence and tested the keeper.

Sophie Hawkins took her turn four minutes before the break but her shot is too wide. Keegan Lambert also took her chances in first-half injury time but was caught offside. Despite these efforts, Bradford remained 1-0 down at half time.

Bradford City Women's midfielder Maisie, right, stands her ground. Picture: Alex Daniel

The Bantams looked stronger after the interval and their defence was tested as Durham tried to take another shot, but at the last minute the striker failed and sent the ball soaring over the bar.

City quickly retaliated with Prothero making another attempt at goal, but the ball was well defended by Cestria.

Richards again shows her value in the 55th minute, making a great save.

The two teams continued taking turns against each other, but City began to look tired, Prothero was substituted for midfielder Monika Stube.

Durham took another shot three minutes later and once again sent the ball over the top. Amy Beck tried to retaliate, trying to cross the ball over to Lambert, but she was just short of the ball.

Not long after Durham broke free of the Bantams' defence, Richards saved the first strike, but the rebound found Durham’s attacker Amy Hargrave to give Cestria a clear lead at 70 minutes.

City continued to battle and a change in personnel saw Roberts replaced by wing-back Ellie Russel.

Hawkins made another attempt at goal, but it fell right into the keeper's arms. Durham seemed to have cursed themselves and somehow sent the ball over the net with only the keeper to beat.

Finally, City’s fighting paid off when Lambert received a cross and smashed the ball into the back of the net with five minutes remaining. The team continued to fight, and Russel tried to equalise on a switch, but the ball just rolled out.

Despite another loss, coach Chris Hames remains hopeful for their next match against FC United of Manchester tomorrow. He said: “It’s going to be a tough game, it’s our first away game, but it’s how you adapt to it.

"FC United will probably be desperate for results as well but we’ve got to believe in ourselves.”

In the meantime, though, Hames has noticed where he needs his squad to improve.

He added: “We’ve faced one of the strongest teams in this division and we knew it was going to be incredibly tough. I think we just have to tighten up at the back.”

"Crystal Knapton’s debut also seemed to make an impression on the coach.

“She’s really impressed us today. She’s a young lass who’s come up from our Under-18s squad, it’s a great pathway for our team.”

City Women's next home game will be on Sunday, August 29, against Chester Le Street.

Report by Emmie Penkett