Steve Kirby makes comeback point as Bristol City Women host high-flying Newcastle United

Bristol City Women head coach Steve Kirby has insisted that his side aims to return to winning this weekend as they host Newcastle United at Ashton Gate.

The Robins fell to a 4-3 defeat last time out against Sunderland – their first loss since September 22, as they sit in seventh in the Women’s Championship while the newly promoted Magpies are flying high in fourth, two points off top spot and unbeaten in three games.

But speaking ahead of City’s return to BS3 on Sunday, head coach Kirby said that he sees this weekend as a good chance for his side to bounce back.

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“It’s another great one [opportunity], and that's exactly how we have looked at it throughout the week," Kirby declared. "Every setback is an opportunity for a comeback, and this will be no different.

“We’ll be excited to get back out; we know that we’re against a good team, but we know that every week, we know that every team carries threats, and we know that Newcastle will feel that they're in a good place, but we’ll be ready for the challenge.

“I'm expecting it to be a good battle,” he added, “If we're going to get the result we want, I don't think it will come easy by any stretch of the imagination, but we’ll be ready for the challenge, and hopefully, we'll have a few little tricks up our sleeve, and a few little adjustments to make that can give us the advantage.”

City’s home form so far this season has been strong with the Robins picking up seven points from a possible nine in the opening games of the season with wins against Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth - the former putting an end to what was previously a run of 539 days without a home victory.

And with another big crowd expected at Ashton Gate this weekend, the City boss said that his side are looking forward to a return to BS3.

“We’ve really enjoyed playing in front of the crowd this season,” Kirby exclaimed.

“We know how much of a help they have been to have in the previous home games; they've really helped us, and the atmosphere has been really good.

“So, we're hoping for that and more, and as usual, we’re hoping to excite them with our play, but more importantly, to get them the result and the three points that they want to see come the end of the game.”

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