By Connor Armstrong at Meadow Park
SUMMARY
Arsenal Ladies were downed by a late free-kick from former Gunner Caroline Weir as they lost to Liverpool on Sunday.
Fara Williams gave the hosts the lead in the ninth minute when her powerful strike from 20 yards deflected beyond the grasp of Siobhan Chamberlain.
Shanice Van de Sanden then brought the visitors level with a fine individual effort.
Sari van Veenendaal’s heroics kept the score at 1-1, with the Arsenal goalkeeper called upon to make a sublime sprawling save to deny Van de Sanden a second goal.
The visitors then grabbed the winner late on when Weir’s curling free-kick found the far side of the Arsenal goal.
SETTING THE SCENE
Pedro Martinez Losa named an unchanged starting line-up at Meadow Park.
Jemma Rose continued alongside Casey Stoney at the heart of the defence, while Natalia Pablos Sanchon was handed another start in attack.
Williams lined up against her former side, while former Gunners Chamberlain and Weir both started for the visitors.
FIRST HALF
Williams got the Gunners off to a dream start against her former employers, seeing her 20-yard strike fly past Chamberlain with the aid of a deflection.
Arsenal held their lead for 12 minutes, before Van de Sanden spun away from her marker and pulled the visitors level by finding the top corner.
Natalia sent a half-volley just wide of the foot of the post, before Jordan Nobbs’ attempt from 25 yards was just off target.
The Gunners went close again when Vicky Losada’s curling effort bent just past the far post.
Liverpool gave Losa’s side a scare shortly before half-time when they seized on a pass out from the back, but Katie Zelem could only drag a low effort wide.
SECOND HALF
Williams went close to restoring the hosts’ lead in the opening five minutes of the second half, when her powerful free-kick was saved by Chamberlain.
Alex Scott and Losada then combined on the right flank before the latter sent over a cross to the far post, with Danielle van de Donk seeing her header claimed by the Liverpool keeper.
The visitors threatened to take the lead on the counter in the 61st minute when a low ball found Van de Sanden unmarked six yards out, but Van Veenendaal pulled off a remarkable save to keep the scores level.
Liverpool did eventually take the lead, but not until the 77th minute when a free-kick on the edge of the area from Weir curled beyond the grasp of Van Veenendaal.
Asisat Oshoala went close to equalising late on for Losa’s side, but Scott’s fizzing ball across the face of goal was just beyond the reach of the stretching Arsenal forward.
Referee: Antony Coggins
Attendance: 1206
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