Match Report | Barnsley Women 3-1 WCWFC

Opening day defeat for City as they rue missed chances.

City kicked off their FA Women’s National League (FAWNL) campaign on Sunday as they travelled to Olympic Legacy Park to take on Barnsley. A fixture that finished 3-3 last season and secured City’s National League status for a second consecutive season.

City had a bright start and had the game's first attempt after some excellent hold-up play by Annie Highway. The ball was chased down by Evie Billingsley, who spun in behind, but her shot was blocked.

Ten minutes later, it was City again that was threatening, after Highway at the edge of the box played in new recruit Charlotte Poole, who had an effort from inside the box but forced the keeper to tip the ball over the bar.  

In the 15th minute, Kaye Haggett was the latest City player to have an effort, however, the long-range effort went over the bar.  

Barnsley took the lead in the 22nd minute, against the run of play, after a great ball over the top caught out City’s defence down the left channel. Their left winger ran into the box and pulled the ball back for the attacker to blast home.  

The hosts were in their groove and had it not been for Jodie Whiteman’s save and a guilt- edge shot going over the bar, they could’ve been further ahead.  

Unfortunately, just before the half-hour mark, Barnsley scored their second after a great ball was played in behind, and the Barnsley attacker scored expertly from outside of the box into the bottom right-hand corner.  

In added time, Billingsley, after some great work, played the ball to skipper Jessica Fassnidge, but her effort went over the bar.  

As we began the second half, Worcester immediately went close after a Highway corner was met by the head of Carys Lowley, but it cannoned off the woodwork.  

In the 50th minute, Billingsley was played in, but her effort was comfortably saved by the Barnsley keeper.

25 minutes later, City almost got in after Poole was played in down the left-hand side, but her cross was cut out at the last second by the Barnsley defender, otherwise, Billingsley had a tap-in.  

In the 80th minute, Barnsley were clean through on goal, however, the shot went wide of the post.  

A minute later, City were back in the contest after substitute Jess Bate hit a thunderbolt into the top corner.

In the 86th minute, Whiteman made another great save to keep Barnsley at bay. However, shortly afterwards, the hosts scored their third, after a mix-up in the City defence on the stroke of full-time.

Next up, we travel to Cheltenham in the League Cup on Thursday, 21st August, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm. We then have a quick turnaround before we face Sutton Coldfield Town at Sixways Stadium on Sunday.  

Click the link below to get your tickets ready. We would love to see you there for our first game at home for the 25/26 season.