Post-Match Report

WSL: Notts County 1-1 Arsenal - Report

13/14 Ladies: Notts County 1-1 Arsenal - Alex Scott

Notts County -

Meadow Lane
Barclays Women's Super League
Barclays Women's Super League
  Notts County
      
              Jess Clarke (26)
          
   crest
Notts County
Jess Clarke (26)
1 1
  Arsenal Women
      
                  Alex Scott (55)
            
   crest
Arsenal Women
Alex Scott (55)

Arsenal Ladies began their Women's Super League season with a 1-1 draw against Notts County at Meadow Lane.

Jess Clarke put the home side ahead in the first half but the Gunners responded early on in the second half with a sublime strike from Alex Scott.

The Gunners dominated from then on and twice hit the woodwork in the closing stages but County held on for a point.

Shelley Kerr made just one change from the FA Cup win over Gillingham with Emma Byrne returning in place of Siobhan Chamberlain in goal.

After missing out on the WSL title for the first time last season, Arsenal started this campaign with questions lingering over their aspirations. But, as Kerr had rightly pointed out before the game, the Gunners had still won two domestic trophies in 2013 and lost just one league game.

Tonight marked Notts County's first league game since they formed in place of Lincoln Ladies at the end of 2013. It always going to be difficult for Kerr's side to second guess their unfamiliar opponents. But Rick Passmoor has a reputation of producing disciplined, hard-working sides and tonight would prove no different.

Both teams had sights on goal during the opening exchanges. Danielle Carter shot wide before Clarke bent an effort marginally wide of the top corner. Emma Mitchell was forced to make a superbly-timed tackle to deny Dunia Susi from shooting as the hosts started to crank up the pressure.

County took the lead on 26 minutes when Clarke's pace proved too much for the Arsenal defence and she slotted past Byrne to score their first ever league goal.

Arsenal almost produced an immediate response when Smith blasted over from Yukari Kinga's path.

The Gunners were far brighter in the second half and went close to equaliser when Leah Williamson's header was saved by Carly Telford. But Kerr didn't have to wait much longer to see her side draw level.

In the 54th minute Shinobo Ohno weaved into a shooting position, her effort was blocked but the ball rebounded to Scott who hit a flashing volley past Telford.

The momentum was all with Arsenal now. Carter and Yankey had shots blocked before Smith sent a half-volley over. Substitute Freda Ayisi did likewise.

Arsenal continued to probe and were desperately unlucky not to go in front when Smith lifted an exquisite free-kick over the wall and off the bar.

The probing became more of a pummelling in the final 10 minutes. In the 84th minute, Ayisi's shot rebounded to Scott who steered towards goal but the ball rebounded off the post and County eventually cleared.

In the end, a frustrating result for Kerr's new-look side but there were signs that this team is starting to gel.

 

 

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