In a scrappy opening period, Liverpool struggled to gain a foothold, as Bristol began the game full of industry and refused to let the defending FA WSL 1 champions settle.
Liverpool Ladies 2-0 Bristol Academy
The FA WSL 1 with BT Sport
5.30pm, Saturday 22 August 2015
Select Security Stadium
By Feargal Brennan
But following a period of sustained Liverpool pressure, the in-form Natasha Dowie was on hand to tap home after Ashley Hodson’s shot was parried by Bristol keeper Mary Earps.
Forward Christie Murray had Bristol’s best chance of the first period on 43 minutes, but her close-range strike was excellently blocked by Reds keeper Libby Stout.
And despite second-half improvements for Bristol, Hodson and Dowie linked up again for Liverpool’s second on 70 minutes.
Hodson’s pace took her clear of the Bristol defence, before squaring for Dowie to finish clinically for her second goal of the evening.
Liverpool's Rosie White holds off the challenge of Bristol's Lauren Townsend
There was to be no late consolation for Bristol as captain Sophie Ingle was denied by a goal line clearance.
And Hodson was unlucky not to get on the score sheet, as she missed a late chance for a Liverpool third.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Libby Stout, Martha Harris, Gemma Bonner , Kate Longhurst (Satara Murray 45), Natasha Dowie (Line Smorsgard 79), Becky Easton, Rosie White, Katie Zelem, Mayumi Pacheco, Ashley Hodson, Lucy Staniforth (Katrin Omarsdottir 59)
Subs not used: Rachel Derbyshire, Ingrid Ryland, Mollie Green, Hannah Dale
Bristol Academy (4-4-2): Mary Earps, Lauren Townsend (Nadia Lawrence 64), Caroline Weir, Hayley Ladd, Christine Murray, Jade Boho-Sayo, Sophie Ingle, Marije Brummel, Angharad James, Georgia Evans (Sharla Passariello 79), Hannah Short (Tatiana Pinto 45)
Subs not used: Hannah Reid, Evdokia Popadinova, Frankie Brown, Gabby Bird
Attendance: 492
Referee: Anthony Tankard
