IT was a hard-fought game between two teams at opposite ends of the league with a lot to fight for made for an intense matchup.

With Crusaders in a relegation battle themselves, they were no easy feat to go up against.

However, it was City who sealed the 3-1 win as they now go into their last two games of the West Midlands Regional Women's Football League season following a break next week. 

City quickly got off on the front foot, establishing themselves in front of goal.

In just the second minute, midfielder Kerstin Ballard opened up the scoreline in City’s favour. After a throw-in from Lindsey Jones fell to the feet of Olivia Mitcham, the striker, escaped her defender, cutting back to Ballard who struck gold on her first league start of the season. 

Searching for a second, Annie Sime from the midfield area worked hard to link in Leah Ritson from the left wing who drove excellently towards goal.

Sime forced a stretched save from the goalkeeper as she shot just above the crossbar after being put through by Ritson. 

However, the tides turned in what was a very intense moment, forcing a heroic save from Sofia Stolt to keep City’s lead.  

After Crusaders’ original shot was punched away by City’s number 13, the home side grappled to keep the ball in the box, desperate to hit the back of the net.

City rushed to the goal line through a congested area in front of goal, with Stolt making it to the line to capture the ball by the right post. 

Olivia Mitcham was the player to extend City’s lead in the 42nd minute.

Holly Rogers sent the ball in from the corner and, unsuspecting of Crusaders’ defenders, Mitcham cleverly flicked the ball with her right back heel into the bottom left corner of the net. 

The intensity continued in the second half and Crusaders sought to narrow the scoreline. In the 57th minute, they managed to claw one back.  

Stolt continued to prove vital for City once again as they made another fantastic save to prevent Crusaders from levelling shortly after their first goal.

Rogers, City’s number 11, won City a penalty and Mitcham comfortably converted the chance in the 62nd minute to get City’s third and final. 

The game was carried out with the same scoreline despite a few flashes in front of goal, but the Crusaders’ defence stood strong.