Women's Super League more competitive, says Bristol manager

Bristol Academy beat Manchester City 2-0 in April

Bristol Academy manager Dave Edmondson says this season's Women's Super League is the most competitive there has been.

The Vixens are currently third in the WSL1 after two victories and a draw in their opening four games.

After a mid-season break, they return to action on Wednesday against unbeaten leaders Birmingham City.

Speaking about the league's new-look top-tier, Edmondson told BBC Radio Bristol: "The difference this year is that anyone can beat anybody."

He continued: "People said it was going to be even this year, that there wasn't going to be a run-away winner, and I've not seen anything to change that."

Liverpool are reigning champions, after beating Bristol to the title in the final game of last season, but the Reds have only managed one win in five games so far.

Meanwhile, two-time winners and FA Women's Cup holders Arsenal are second-bottom, above their cup final opponents Everton.

"Previously, some of the top clubs could turn up with a weakened team and not play that well and still expect to come away with a win," added Edmondson, who is in his first season in charge.

"But any team who play even 10% off, they'll get beat. That goes for us as much as anybody else."

Bristol go into Wednesday's away game off the back of a 5-0 win over Birmingham in the Continental Cup.

And captain Corrine Yorston says the result has given them a huge boost.

"A win on Sunday leaves us full of confidence for the league game," the defender told Bristol's website.

"We're confident that we can be successful and we know that a few wins under our belt will stand us in good stead.

"Birmingham are doing well and we will need to work hard to beat them. But we're a confident team, we played well in the first half of the season and we're enjoying our football."