FA Women's Cup: Stockport 1-4 Arsenal

Arsenal Ladies progressed to the Fifth Round of the
Women's FA Cup after an emphatic win at Stockport
County. 

The hosts play their home games on an artificial turf pitch
and this worked in Arsenal's favour, as the ball travelled
quickly and suited their flowing style of play.

The Gunners dominated the game from the start creating many
chances, but the Stockport defence and goalkeeper did everything
they could to keep them at bay.

Arsenal knew that they had to be patient and finally got
their reward after 40 minutes when Katie Chapman
converted Ciara Grant's cut back.
Lianne Sanderson could have increased the advantage
before half time but her effort was turned
away superbly.

Arsenal knew that the game was far from over at 1-0 and the
hosts came out fighting after the break. On 56 minutes
a foul on Anita Asante went unpunished, allowing a
Stockport forward to run clear through on goal and level
the scoreline. Vic Aker's Ladies picked up the pace
immediately and went ahead for the second
time when Kelly Smith drove through the Stockport defence to
net her first goal of the game.


 


Arsenal's third goal came from Alex Scott, who received the
ball from Smith to go one on one before calmly
slotting past the goalkeeper.

Stockport continued to endeavour but their task became
an uphill challenge when their goalscorer received her second
yellow card.

The visitor's final goal came when substitute Gemma Davison
was brought down in the area on 82 minutes and Smith converted the
penalty to round off a well-earned win.