Durham Women put in a stunning performance as they brushed aside higher-level opposition to secure a place in the last eight of the FA Cup.
A second half brace from Lisa Robertson was enough for the Wildcats to claim victory at Bristol City and claim a place in the Quarter Finals for the second consecutive year.
Lee Sanders made three changes for the trip to the Stoke Gifford Stadium, with Sarah Robson, Kathryn Hill and Hannah Reid all handed starts.
And Reid was busy in the opening exchanges, having to gather a number of ranking long balls as Bristol started on the front foot.
The first-half was one of few clear-cut chances, but both sides had genuine opportunities to take the lead before the interval.
Bristol substitute Heather Payne – who replaced the injured Lucy Graham early on – was denied when she went one-on-one with Reid.
And for Durham, the lively Robson saw a header flash narrowly wide of the post.
But the game opened up after the break, with the Wildcats on the offensive from the off.
Zoe Ness sent a header marginally over the bar before Robson’s effort from range flew narrowly wide as the visitors ramped up the pressure.
And they got the rewards their fine performance deserved just after the hour mark – Robertson racing through to latch onto a pass from Ness before prodding home.
That stunned Bristol, who failed to trouble Reid as the second tier side dictated proceedings as the game drew towards its end.
The hosts did commit players forward – but they were caught out in injury time when Rachel Lee won back possession and teed up Robertson.
The midfielder – spotting opposition stopper Sophie Baggaley off her line – then unleashed a fine chipped effort from the halfway line to double the Wildcats’ lead.
Robertson’s heroics secured progression to the last eight for the Wildcats – who will discover their next opponents in tomorrow evening’s draw.

Recap

STARTING ELEVEN
Bristol City W vs Durham W

GOAL

Details

Date Time League Season Full Time
February 17, 2019 1:00 pm FA Cup 2018_2019 0'

Ground

Stoke Gifford Stadium
Stoke Gifford Stadium, Cob Court, Harry Stoke, Stoke Gifford, South Gloucestershire, South West England, England, BS34 8AD, United Kingdom

Results

Club1st Half2nd HalfGoalsOutcome
Bristol City W000Loss
Durham W022Draw

Durham W

2Kathryn Hill Defender
5Sarah Wilson Defender
6Sarah Robson Midfielder
14Becky Salicki Defender
16Ellie Christon Defender
17Emily Roberts Forward
Jess Holder Midfielder
1Hannah Reid Goalkeeper
4Lisa Robertson Midfielder
8Zoe Ness Forward
9Nicki Gears Forward
21Caroline Dixon Defender
96Rachel Lee Midfielder