Lloyd-Smith’s hat-trick heroics earn her this season’s golden boot

It was a close battle at the top of the BWSL2 scoring charts, but Bristol City’s Lexi Lloyd-Smith made sure that the award was hers with a strong finish to the campaign.

Since joining the club in the summer of 2024 from Southampton, the youngster has become one of Bristol’s most integral players, with this award confirming what both fans and staff at the club already knew: Lexi Lloyd-Smith is an attacking sensation.

A Shock Turn at Brammall Lane

Lexi arguably left her best until last. On the last day of the season, Bristol City headed to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Going into the game, there were two things in head coach Charlotte Healy’s mind: she “wanted a Golden Boot winner”, and she “wanted to finish fourth”, and Lloyd-Smith made it her mission to give her gaffer what she wanted.

With half-time looming, and the Robins one ahead, Lloyd-Smith made a clinical run into the box and lost two defenders, and the Blades’ defence had no time to react as she slotted the ball past Charlotte Parker-Smith.

The 23-year-old scored two more in the second half to complete her first professional hat-trick. She could have had more, too, but it was a case of job done on both fronts.

“It’s not even sunk in yet but for the people that know me, it’s just unreal,” she said afterwards.

“This is about more than football for me today, this is for my brother, and my family. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve had, I do feel like I deserve this and it’s just amazing.”

The Goal The Started It All

Lloyd-Smith enjoyed an exceptional breakout season in 2024-25. She played 19 times and scored ten goals, adding three assists, which earned her Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year award.

She continued where she left off and netted her first this time around in September 2025 against Jay Sadler’s Portsmouth side. After the half-time break, Lloyd-Smith found herself at the centre of the penalty area and, with the ball falling at her feet, she fired a right-footed shot straight past the keeper.

Her second came late in the game away at her old club Southampton. What followed were a series of tap-ins, top corners and even the odd mis-hit… her trusty left foot finding the net by any means. Eleven goals from 21 games, and another shiny trophy for the matlepiece.

Word credit: Taylor Simpson-Ward