Taylor: City ‘expecting tough’ Bristol City encounter | OneFootball

Gareth Taylor is expecting 'a tough encounter’ when City travel to Bristol City in the Continental Cup quarter-final.

Following our 1-0 victory over Leicester in our final group game, we set up a mouthwatering tie with the Vixens at Ashton Gate on Wednesday 25 January.

We advanced to the knockout stages of the competition after winning all four Group B matches, scoring 12 goals and maintaining a quartet of clean sheets in the process.

Similarly, Bristol City progressed to the last-eight as Group D victors - following a crucial final match success over Lewes at the Dripping Pan.

That form has transferred to the league for Lauren Smith’s side as they currently sit second in the Barclays Women’s Championship – one point off top spot with a game in hand on league leaders London City.

As a result, Taylor is anticipating a difficult cup tie in front of their home crowd at Ashton Gate.

“I always remember the first season playing at Twerton Park against Matt Beard who was at the club at the time,” he said.

WATCH: Leicester 0-1 City: Continental Cup highlights

“[We played them] last season in the Conti Cup at the same stage. They’re a team who are knocking on the door of the Championship and unfortunately fell out in that season from the top flight.

“We’re expecting a tough encounter at their stadium. The bigger the stadia for us and the more opportunity for bigger support is great.

“We’re expecting it to be a good occasion, one we’re looking forward to and we want to progress in the competition we won last season.”

City enter the clash sitting one division and 10 places higher than the Vixens in the women’s football pyramid.

However, Taylor doesn’t believe progression to the semi-finals is a formality despite the side’s respective league positions.

And he’s tasked his players to rise to the challenge Bristol City presents his side.

WATCH: Conti Cup highlights: City 3-1 Bristol

He added: “I think you have to enjoy that pressure that comes with it and the expectation levels of playing for Manchester City.

“We’re not daft, we know that on any given day there can be upsets. We don’t want that to be us, we want to make sure we get everything right in our approach and performance.

“Again, that gives us better chances of being successful.”