Arsenal Ladies' reserve team kicked off the new season with
a 10-0 win over Bristol Academy, under the management of new
reserve-team manager Steve Jones.
The game, played at Potters Bar FC on a dry, uneven pitch, would
have been a test for the most gifted of players but Arsenal's
girls adapted well to the conditions. Their first goal arrived
inside six minutes after a corner from the right was parried by the
Bristol keeper and Ciara Grant pounced to score from close
range.
Winger Sarah Wiltshire was a constant menace to the Bristol
defence and she scored the second in the 17th minute, cutting in
from the right and firing a low shot into the corner.
It was mainly one-way traffic with Emma Byrne rarely tested in
the Arsenal goal. Two goals in five minutes killed off the game
with skipper Jayne Ludlow and Gemma Davison netting before the
interval.
Bristol started the second half at a higher tempo but Arsenal
maintained their composure and a stunning long-range effort from
Wiltshire made it 5-0. As Bristol heads dropped Arsenal added a
sixth through Lizzie Wicks.
Arsenal made three changes but stayed in control with both Wicks
and Davison completing their hat-tricks.
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