COVENTRY United Women began the Championship season with a frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Bristol City Women.
The Red and Greens were undone by Jessica Wooley’s second-half strike as new United boss Lee Burch made a losing start to life in the Butts Park Arena dugout.
Coventry drop to ninth in the Barclays Women’s Championship table after their opening day defeat.
And the home side started the game on the back foot as last season’s top scorer Abi Harrison saw her attempted volley well-saved by United goalkeeper Jodie Whiteman.
The Red and Greens created their first chance soon after with Katy Morris denied by City stopper Fran Bentley.
And a defensive mix up soon after almost allowed Bristol to take an early lead only for Whiteman to spare United’s blushes with an important stop.
United were then indebted to Alanah Mann for keeping the scores level after the defender made a superb recovery challenge with Harrison through on goal.
Coventry had the last chance of the half when Meesha Dudley-Jones tried her luck from distance but was unable to test Bentley in the Bristol goal.
However, Bristol took the lead on 48 minutes when Woolley produced a powerful finish past Whiteman after being slipped through by Harrison.
And Woolley almost grabbed her second of the game soon after as her flicked effort went narrowly over the bar.
Coventry were under the cosh for much of the second period as Bristol substitute Shania Hayles fired over following some pinball in the United box with the last meaningful effort of the game.
The Red and Greens are next in action away at Crystal Palace on Saturday, August 27 with kick-off at 7pm at Hayes Lane.
