Match reportHöbinger strike sends Liverpool fourth in WSL with win at Bristol City

Marie Höbinger’s fine first-half strike was enough for Matt Beard’s side at Ashton Gate, as they returned to action with a victory after the international break.

It was a lively start to the game, with Bristol City goalkeeper Shae Yanez off her line quickly to beat Leanne Kiernan to a loose ball early on, and Jenna Clark alert to cut out a dangerous low cross from Jamie-Lee Napier at the other end.

Liverpool took the lead in clinical style in the 13th minute, when Missy Bo Kearns’ cross from the right ran to Höbinger, who delivered a superb first-time finish with her left foot from the edge of the box, the ball flying into the bottom right corner for the Austrian’s fifth WSL goal of the season.

Rachel Furness threatened an immediate equaliser as she broke the offside trap, but Teagan Micah did well to force the former Reds star wide and the chance was lost.

Sophie Roman Haug had the ball in the net soon after, but was penalised for a foul on Yanez, while Micah and Clark both did well to stand firm at the other end after a scramble in the Liverpool box, caused when Furness challenged Micah for a high, hanging free-kick.

The visitors defended well, but found it hard to create clear chances against an energetic home side, who threatened down their right flank through Emily Syme in particular.

Grace Fisk blocked well from Ffion Morgan after a misplaced pass from Fuka Nagano in midfield, and Furness sent an ambitious effort well off target from 30 yards as the Reds went in at the break a goal to the good but knowing the contest was far from over.

Beard brought on Gemma Bonner for Kiernan at half-time, changing his side’s shape in the process.

And Liverpool almost doubled their advantage within minutes of the restart as Höbinger, found in space by Kearns, unleashed another superb strike that had Yanez beaten but rebounded back off the left post.

The Reds then replaced Höbinger with Ceri Holland just before the hour mark, with Emma Koivisto also brought on for captain Taylor Hinds.

They continued to play on the front foot, Mia Enderby sending an effort over the bar on the turn after being set up by Roman Haug.

Enderby next sliced off target on her left foot after linking up well with Kearns down the right, and Liverpool were indebted to Micah, who produced a brilliant save to deny Amelie Thestrup, after the Bristol City striker had latched onto Lucy Parry’s short backpass.

Fisk forced a save from Yanez as she got her head on Enderby’s dangerous cross from the right on 67 minutes, and Beard sent on both Melissa Lawley and Yana Daniels in a bid to finish off the encounter.

They nearly did just that with 18 minutes remaining as Kearns whipped in an audacious effort from a free-kick wide on the right, with Yanez just recovering in time to punch the ball away from the goalline.

City threatened an equaliser heading into the last 10 minutes, with Clark making a crucial block to keep out Carrie Jones’ goalbound strike, while the speed of Lawley meant the visitors remained dangerous on the break, with one run down the left nearly creating a chance for Roman Haug and another forcing Yanez into a sprawling claim at her near post.

In the end, though, one goal was enough for Liverpool, who stood up well defensively and thereby leapfrog Manchester United into fourth place with three league matches to play.

TEAM

Liverpool: Micah, Parry (Daniels, 71), Fisk, Clark, Hinds (Koivisto, 58), Nagano, Kearns, Höbinger (Holland, 58), Kiernan (Bonner, 46), Enderby (Lawley, 71), Roman H.

Unused subs: Laws, Leath.

NEXT UP

The Reds are back in Barclays Women’s Super League action on Wednesday May 1 when they welcome title-chasing Chelsea to Prenton Park.

Kick-off is 7pm BST and tickets are available to buy here.