Post-Match Report

Ladies: Fulham 1-6 Arsenal

Motspur Park

Fulham Ladies -

Motspur Park
Women's Premier League
Women's Premier League
  Fulham Ladies
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Fulham Ladies
1 - 6
  Arsenal Women
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Arsenal Women

Arsenal Ladies made it four wins from four games by thrashing
Fulham 6-1 at Motspur Park on Sunday afternoon.

Kelly Smith, back from England duty, claimed a brace and was
joined on the scoresheet by Rachel Yankey, Lianne Sanderson and
captain Faye White. An own goal from Jess Wright completed the
scoring.

Yankey broke the deadlock after just five minutes from the first
real chance of the game. Scott played the ball up the right
touchline for Sanderson to run on to. The young England
international sent over a deep cross which fell invitingly for
Yankey to fire past the keeper with a powerful left-footed
volley.

They nearly doubled the advantage minutes later when a huge kick
from Emma Byrne allowed Sanderson to race through on goal. She
rounded the keeper only for a defender to deflect her goal-bound
effort away for a corner.

Arsenal continued to dominate the game, stroking the ball around
confidently and creating further chances. Rachel McArthur went
close with a volley from close-range.

A deserved second came on the 24th minute courtesy of Smith. Her
left-footed effort surprised everyone, creeping in the far post
along the ground after the defence had blocked previous strikes
from Smith and Yankey.

Five minutes later Arsenal added a third with a set-piece right
out of the training manual. Yankey's inswinging corner looped
over the keeper before Sanderson simply nodded home from inside the
box.

The three-goal advantage didn't last long however. Fulham
enjoyed a good spell of possession which was rewarded with a goal -
a bullet header from Justine Lorton.

Nevertheless, Arsenal were still the dominant force and silenced
the Motspur Park crowd once more before the break.

Smith once again finished with ease after Ciara Grant fed a
through ball which cut the Fulham defence in half. The striker let
the ball roll along before coolly stroking the ball into the far
corner.

The second period began with Arsenal controlling the game. Scott
raced through on goal but was just beaten to the ball by the keeper
and Yankey wasted an opportunity from a free-kick which she took
early.

Wright's own goal made it five for the Ladies and White rose
highest to power the ball into the net after 72 minutes and
complete a fine victory.