Football Ella’s stunner sets up Vixens for back-to-back victories
ELLA Rutherford’s spectacular strike helped Bristol City follow up their midweek FA Continental Tyres League Cup win with a battling 2-0 WSL victory at Everton yesterday.
Rutherford’s second-half stunner, plus a late effort from Katie Rood, sealed all three points for Tanya Oxtoby’s side in what was both teams’ final league game of 2018.
Chances were in short supply in the first half, with Rosella Ayane having the clearest opportunity for the visitors, but her header flashed wide. Midfielder Julie Biesmans also came close, with the Belgian international’s powerful drive drawing a save from Kirstie Levell on 34 minutes. Everton improved after the break, with Inessa Kaagman testing Sophie Baggaley from close range, before Dominique Bruinenberg curled an effort just over on 58 minutes. But it was the visitors who eventually found the net through Rutherford, who volleyed home from the edge of the area on 65 minutes following a deep cross from Lucy Graham.
The Vixens almost doubled their lead five minutes later as Levell’s scuffed clearance fell for Juliette Kemppi, but she could only direct her effort straight at the Everton goalkeeper.
Willie Kirk’s side had a golden opportunity to grab an equaliser on 72 minutes when Angharad James was sent clear of the City defence, but she was denied by a sprawling save from Baggaley.
The hosts continued to press and Baggaley was called into action in the closing stages to deny Chloe Kelly and James. However, substitute Rood wrapped up the win from six yards in added time when Everton failed to clear their lines.
Afterwards, Rood praised Baggalay’s contribution. “It’s great that Sophie’s performances in goal always allow us to stay in the game, and having that clean sheet behind us means that we have to take our chances when they come,” she said.
“I am so thrilled for Ella to get her goal. It couldn’t have fallen to anyone better, perfectly on her left foot and what a strike it was! This result puts us exactly where we want to be at the end of 2018, right in the middle of things in the league, and it allows us to push on in 2019.”
To follow all of the action during the season and to buy tickets: visit www.ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/ Everton: Kirstie Levell; Faye Bryson, Georgia Brougham, Gabby George, Taylor Hinds; Angharad James, Megan Finnigan; Dominique Bruinenberg, Inessa Kaagman, Chloe Kelly, Simone Magill
Substitutes: Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah for Simone Magill on 64, Claudia Walker for Dominique Bruinenberg on 67, Elise Hughes for Faye Bryson on 79
Substitutes not used: Becky Flaherty, Abbie Stringer
Bristol City: Sophie Baggaley; Lauren Dykes, Frankie Brown, Danique Kerkdijk, Poppy Pattinson; Carla Humphrey, Julie Biesmans, Rosella Ayane, Lucy Graham, Ella Rutherford; Juliette Kemppi
Substitutes: Katie Robinson for Rosella Ayane on 52, Katie Rood for Juliette Kemppi on 70, Carla Humphrey for Gemma Evans on 86
Substitutes not used: Aimee Watson, Heather Payne, Poppy Wilson, Jess Wooley Goals: Rutherford 65, Rood 90+1
Referee: Jane Simms
Attendance: 211