Notts County Ladies 1 - 1 Bristol Academy

Notts County Ladies have extended their unbeaten run to six games, although they couldn't climb to the top of Group Three in the Continental Cup after drawing 1-1 with Bristol Academy.

The Vixens, who trounced Oxford United Women 9-2 in midweek to seize top spot in the group despite the Lady Pies' 5-0 defeat of Aston Villa, were a goal down at the break, thanks to an amazing 25-yard volley by the prodigal Jess Clarke, but Nikki Watts bundled the ball in from close range ten minutes after the restart to level proceedings.

The away side were responsible for the first attack of the game after winning a corner, but the Lady Pies imposed themselves shortly thereafter, pressing and threatening the Vixens goal through Dunia Susi.

Bristol weathered their opposition bravely, thwarting continued ventures forward and chances from Katie Holtham and Clarke, but only until the 28th minute – and frankly, Mary Earps had absolutely no chance against Clarke’s long range volley, fashioned out of nothing.

The last five minutes of the first half saw several dramatic moments for the home side, as Rachel Corsie was forced to clear from under her bar as Natalia Sanchon was lurking, while just two minutes later, the referee waved away a penalty appeal as Laura Del Rio appeared to be bundled in the box.

After the restart, both sides kept on sparring, with Clarke’s cross being cleared away before Susi could make anything of it, while Del Rio weaved her way through three challenges before attempting a shot that was denied by Amy Turner.

Eventually, the Vixens managed to breach the Notts defence and register the equalising goal. In the 54th minute Del Rio, proving to be an ever-present thorn in the Lady Pies’ side, whipped a dangerous cross across the box, and Nikki Watts duly sent the ball into the net from close range.

Taken aback from the Bristol goal, the home side strove to pull themselves back in front. In the space of two minutes, Susi fashioned two chances, first beating Jasmine Matthews and sending a dangerous cross into the Vixens box, before weaving past Corinne Yorston and whipping a ball to Courtney Sweetman-Kirk. The steadfast away defence thwarted both attempts, however.

Midway through the second half, the Lady Pies caused havoc in the Bristol box, as Earps spilled Clarke’s shot after marauding into the box. Susi’s subsequent effort was then blocked, and eventually Grace McCatty scrambled the ball behind for a corner.

An injury to opposition player Jemma Rose saw the game halted for a few minutes, before Yorston and Lauren Dykes combined to set up Angharad James in front of goal. Her effort was comfortably saved, however.

The game then petered out in the final stages, save for several players accruing yellow cards, a Notts free kick that flew well over, and a half-chance from Sophie Bradley from a difficult angle.

The final whistle eventually blew on the game, as both sides shared the spoils in the 1-1 draw, and Notts remain unbeaten so far this season, even though the Vixens remain at the top of Group Three in the Continental Cup.