Durham are edged out in tight battle

Olivia Fergusson’s firsthalf strike was enough to earn Bristol City three points and a valuable victory over WSL2 title rivals Durham in a hard-fought encounter at Stoke Gifford Stadium on Saturday.

Fergusson profited from a mistake by Durham defender Sarah McFadden in the 19th minute, steering a low drive passed Helen Alderson in the Durham goal.

In a tight game of few chances between two teams gunning for promotion, the Vixens had the better opportunities to extend their lead.

Goalscorer Fergusson was unlucky not to add to her tally in the 39th minute, seeing her acrobatic volley well saved by Alderson.

Chloe Arthur should have done better on the stroke of half-time but sent her volley from Jodie Brett’s left-wing corner high over the bar from six yards.

The second period continued in the same pattern as the first with both teams struggling to create any clear-cut chances.

Bristol City skipper Hayley Ladd should have scored when she rose unmarked to meet another Brett corner, but her header went narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

The closest Durham came to scoring was in the 75th minute when Bristol City goalkeeper Hannah Reid moved smartly off her line to smother at the feet of Durham striker Natalie Gutteridge.

Despite the defeat, Durham skipper Sarah Wilson was still pleased with the way her side carried themselves away from home.

“Bristol City are a good team with lots of quality players, not many teams will come here and only concede one goal, so we’re proud of that,” said Wilson.

“It was a bit like the game when we played them at home, they went ahead and we threw everything at them, but it wasn’t to be this time.

“You could see how much it meant to all of us as we were all throwing our bodies on the line.

“At the start of the season our target was to finish in the top four which we’ve achieved.”