Post-Match Report

UWCL: Arsenal 2-0 Sparta Prague - Report

AC Sparta Praha -

Boreham Wood FC
Women’s Champs League
Women’s Champs League
  Arsenal Women
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Arsenal Women
2 0
  AC Sparta Praha
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AC Sparta Praha

By Nick Teale

Arsenal Ladies are through to the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League after completing a 5-0 aggregate victory over Sparta Prague with two goals at Boreham Wood.

Kim Little's second-half strike added to an own goal scored by Sparta captain Lucie Heroldova after 31 minutes.

Tony Gervaise's side were dominant throughout the game and their first chance came in the fourth minute. 

Little was brought down 25-yards out presenting Rachel Yankey with her first effort of the game. However her free-kick struck the wall and looped out for a corner.

Little had a good opportunity to open the scoring after 16 minutes but her shot sailed marginally over after she had received the ball from Katie Chapman who had been set loose on the right by Niamh Fahey. 

Adela Pivonkova had Sparta's only notable chance of the first-half after 25 minutes and her low shot from the edge of the area produced a good save from a largely redundant Emma Byrne. 

Six minutes later Arsenal had the lead. After her first corner was headed out, Little's second delivery found the back of the net via Heroldova. 

Yankey and Jayne Ludlow then both hit good efforts inches over from outside the area as the half drew to a close. 

Gervaise had said before the game that the first goal would be crucial. Arsenal had scored it and looked good value for their lead at the break.

Nine minutes into the second half Prague, desperately searching for a way back into the tie, looked to be through on goal with Eva Bartonova. However, Gilly Flaherty slid in with a well-timed tackle to disposes the Sparta forward.

That seemed to give Arsenal a sharp reminder that the tie wasn't quite over and two minutes after Flaherty's tackle Gervaise's side added their second of the game.

Helen Lander received the ball in a central position and threaded it through to Little on the right side of the area. The Scot fired across the keeper and into the net to give the Gunners a 5-0 aggregate lead and reach a personal milestone of 20 goals for the season.

Arsenal maintained the pressure on Sparta's goal and with 21 minutes remaining Lander almost added a third but saw her fierce shot go just wide.

With just two minutes to go Jayne Ludlow hit a volley over the bar from inside the area and then debutant Danielle Carter's venomous effort flew just wide of the post.

It was another convincing and dominant performance from Arsenal Ladies and they'll learn their Quarter-Final fate when the draw is made next Friday.

Referee: Efthalia Mitsi (GRE)

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