Bristol City fixture won’t define the title race says London City Lionesses interim boss Runnacles | OneFootball

London City Lionesses interim head coach Nikita Runnacles has issued a reminder that this evening’s Barclays Women’s Championship fixture against Bristol City won’t define the final league standings.

The Pride travel to The Robins High Performance Centre for a hugely important game in the Barclays Women’s Championship. London City Lionesses top the table, however, Bristol City are just three points behind the Dartford-based club with the added bonus of a game-in-hand.

This evening’s game will play a part in the potential destination of the Barclays Women’s Championship title, however, London City Lionesses interim head coach Runnacles says that it is in no way a league-defining fixture.

“This game tonight doesn’t define the outcome of the league for either club,” Runnacles said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “It is just about completing the 90 minutes, making sure that we give it everything that we possibly can and then look ahead to Sunday.

“The preparation has been great from the players, they are ready to go and we look forward to what I expect will be a great game against Bristol City tonight.”

London City Lionesses will come up against the league’s joint-second highest goalscorer this evening in Shania Hayles. Runnacles is not surprised by Hayles’ goalscoring exploits this season but the focus is not just about keeping the forward quiet, the London City Lionesses boss expects her side to defend well out of possession across the pitch.

She said “Every club that is pushing for promotion from this league needs a player that will score goals so it is no surprise that she is finding the back of the net.

“I think it is really important that we pride ourselves on getting a clean sheet in these games through our defensive focus and our strengths across the pitch in how quick we win the ball back to then go and control the game by being in possession.”

London City Lionesses’ Barclays Women’s Championship fixture against Bristol City kicks-off at 6.45pm.