City Women secure bonus point in Subway Players Cup.

Bristol City Women picked up a bonus point against Southampton to kick-start their Subway Players cup campaign.

The Robins had initially gone behind after Emma Harries’ first-half goal gifted Saints the lead before Katie Robinson’s equaliser meant it was one a piece after the 90 minutes.

Penalties from Emily Syme, Emma Bissell, Marine Dafeur and Maria Farrugia were enough to see City secure the bonus point in their Players Cup opener.

Charlotte Healy had rotated her side for Saints’ visit with Neeve McDonald making her full debut for Bristol City Women.

It was Simon Parker’s Southampton who started brightest in BS8, testing City’s Fran Bentley twice within the opening 15 minutes.

Chloe Peplow’s free-kick on the edge of the area had Bentley at full stretch but she was more than equal to the game's first attempt on target.

Peplow came again for Saints just moments later but once again Bentley pushed the strike away.

Southampton pressure continued and the visitors found the opener just after the half hour mark, as Harries raced through on goal before rolling beyond Bentley, providing the visitors with a 1-0 lead at the break.

City came out the blocks in the second-half as Marine Dafeur was introduced and the Algerian nearly had instant impact, forcing a save out of Saints’ Grace Moloney.

At the other end, Saints almost doubled their lead through Freya Jupp’s angled effort but it was well kept out by Bentley.

City eventually found a leveller through Katie Robinson who scored her second goal of the season.

Hardy’s flick-in-behind saw Robinson one-on-one with Moloney and she fired into the top corner from close range.

Healy’s side went in search of a second as substitute Maria Farrugia caused trouble down Saints’ right-hand-side cutting in from the Robins’ left wing before unleashing a powerful attempt that flew high and wide.

Both sides went in search for a late winner and it was Farrugia again who came closest but the Maltese international was unable to direct her free header in the area on target.

With one point secured for either side at the full-time whistle another was on offer as penalties loomed, of which City stepped up to the occasion.