BRADFORD City Women’s first half performance cost them in defeat to West Bromwich Albion, says manager Charlotte Stuart.

The Bantams were missing several players as they went down 2-1 in the Midlands on Sunday, but Stuart was not looking for excuses for what was a disappointing result in the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division.

The manager admitted the team should have done more before the break, but believes they deserved better for the way they came back.

“In the first half, we let ourselves down,” she said.

“Of course, when players are missing it makes a difference. But the performance in the first half cannot be blamed on players missing.

“We weren’t doing our jobs, and that is what cost us.”

However, while Jennifer Kikomeko’s brace had the Bantams two goals down at the break, Stuart was impressed with the way her team responded.

Abi Lee’s seventh of the season pulled a goal back for City in the closing stages, although it proved to be too little too late with just minutes remaining to get an equaliser.

“I can’t fault the second half,” Stuart said. “The girls proved they can turn things round and showed grit and determination. In the end, we deserved more from the game.”

That was one of several positives despite the result, another being that City know that they will have a stronger team available for their trip to Fylde this Sunday.

The back line in particular was left depleted, with full-back Zoe Roberts and midfielder Lauren Jordinson, who can also play centre-back, both missing.

Stuart is looking forward to preparing for City’s next outing with both of those players back ahead of a run of proper fixtures.

The Bantams’ schedule this season has been patchy at times, but they are guaranteed a game every week now until the end of the campaign as the postponed fixtures are rescheduled and the worst of the weather is behind them.

And with a County Cup final against league rivals Guiseley to play at the beginning of May, they will certainly welcome building that match fitness.

“It will be nice to have players back next week certainly, but the focus is training this week to get ready for Sunday,” she said.

“Having games on a consistent basis makes a huge difference too, so it will be nice to have a busy end to the season.”