Renée Slegers started the match against Bristol City with seven changes in her starting IX. A perfect moment for Kafaji and Katie Reid to prove themselves. Opponent Bristol City was blown away after conceding four goals in the first 25 minutes. Arsenal was in their all-white kit tonight for their No More Red initiative against knife crime and youth violence. Read our Match Report Arsenal vs Bristol City in the Women’s Adobe FA Cup Fourth Round Proper.
Match Highlights
- Amanda Ilestedt made her first appearance since her pregnancy.
- Beth Mead scored a ‘Crot’.
- Excellent shift by Katie Reid.
- Arsenal win 5-0: goals by Blackstenius (2), Maanum and Mead (2).
- Attendance Meadow Park: 2808
- Player of the match: Beth Mead.
Opening the score withing 3 minutes
Arsenal take the lead inside three minutes. Maanum found Mead down the right. The England international got past Mustaki and her cross was perfectly measured for Blackstenius to tip it in. Bristol City’s poor defending and playing out from the back almost immediately gave Arsenal the opportunity to double their lead.
A long range shot from Cooney-Cross is straight at goalkeeper Burns but she cannot hold onto the ball. Maanum was there this time to tip it in. Doubling the Gunners lead within 9 minutes.
A few rare opportunities for Bristol City
The visitors fight back after the second goal. Earning themselves a corner-kick. They take the corner short and the cross lands in a sea of white. Bristol City gets another opportunity with a throw-in a good spot after it deflected of Kafaji. The attack eventually leads to nothing.
Bristol City had a big opportunity when Napier was sent away by Lloyd-Smith and drove towards goal. She had plenty of time to make it difficult for Zinsberger but her effort was straight at the goalkeeper, who caught it with ease. Moments later Blackstenius scores her second of the night. Blackstenius retakes possession from Bennet. She turned into space and her shot was unstoppable for Burns.
Extending the lead once more
Beth Mead got on the scoresheet win the 25th minute. The cross from Caldentey on the left reached Mead at the far post. She headed it across and in the net. Scoring Arsenal’s fourth.
The Bristol City captain, Napier, earned her team a second corner. Bristol takes it short: Morgan and Syme combine to get the ball to Bance and she shoots, but Katie Reid is there to block. The next attempt is also blocked by Reid, doing excellent work for Arsenal in the back.
The 4-0 was scored in the 25th minute and after that play slowed down a little. Arsenal was still in control but Bristol City was slightly better at anticipating the passes and holding their lines.
How many goals will be scored in the second-half?
The Gunners start the second-half with two changes. Leah Williamson and Emily Fox come on for Steph Catley and Cooney-Cross. This pushed Codina to midfield so that Williamson could partner up with Wubben-Moy. Arsenal has an extremely important game against Manchester City this WSL weekend so the substitutes were expected.
- Bristol City also made a change at half-time: Jesse Woolley of for Simpson.
Scoring from 25-yards out
Beth Mead received the ball from WIlliamson down the right, near the touchline. She sent what seemed to be a cross to the far post where Kafaji was ready but it turned into a goal. It flew over Burns in the top left corner.
Just before the one-hour mark Slegers brought Lia Wälti on. She replaced Mariona Caldentey for the last half hour. Steve Kirby brought on Teisar, O’Leary and Thestrup for Teisar, Lloyd-Smith and Morgan Powell
Bristol City stays in shape and defends well
After Mead’s ‘Crot’ the match got quiet. Arsenal dictated the play but Bristol City did very well to hold The Gunners off. If the second-half would have been anything like the first, we’d be looking at double diggits bij the 75th minute.
With ten more minutes on the clock, the Arsenal fans welcome Amanda Ilestedt back. She came on the pitch for Lotte Wubben-Moy. Her first appearance since her pregnancy. Beth Mead also made way for Alessia Russo.
Goalkeeper Burns deserved some credit after her performance in the second half. Aside from Mead’s goal she saved plenty of shots, saving her team from a brutal defeat.
Arsenal secures spot in Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round Proper.
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