Report: Arsenal Women 3-1 Bristol City Women.

What Happened?

It was a wet and windy affair as Barclays FAWSL action returned at Meadow Park following a two week hiatus and the Robins got off to the perfect start. 

After soaking up the Arsenal pressure in the early stages the visitors took the lead in the sixth minute through Abi Harrison’s long-range strike. 

Mastrantonio pickpocketed Williamson near halfway and instinctively looked to release Harrison and the striker seized the opportunity to fire past Zinsberger from 25-yards out. 

Following their bright start, Oxtoby’s team had to dig in and withstand the inevitable pressure and they did just that until the 42nd minute. 

McCabe burst into space on the left hand side and managed to pick out the advancing Nobbs, who expertly struck the ball into the far corner to bring the hosts level heading into half-time. 

Following the break, City needed to remain solid but just three minutes into the half they were undone by awkward ball into the box from Mead, which sat up off the wet surface for Foord to tap in and put Arsenal in front. 

Despite falling behind Bristol City would not be deterred and continued to probe for an avenue back into the game. 

Harrison had a half chance to catch Zinsberger outside of her box, but the ‘keeper managed to escape unscathed. 

Arsenal then had a flurry of chances to put the game away, however, they were met by an inspired Sophie Baggaley, who made a string of fantastic saves to keep the lead to one.

First, Miedema’s floated ball into the box was met by Nobbs, who unleashed a thunderous volley on goal and Baggaley flew across to palm the ball over. 

In the following ten minutes she would go on to parry McCabes venomous shot across goal, as well as thwart Mead’s dipping effort from distance. 

City waited patiently for their chance to draw level, and it came 15 minutes from the end of the game as Salmon turned on the afterburners to drive into the box and force Zinsberger into a smart stop. 

As the Robins pushed for an equaliser they were caught out by a ball over the top to Miedema, who raced through on goal and cooly slid the ball into the bottom corner to wrap up all three points. 

Result aside, Bristol City pushed Arsenal all the way on Sunday afternoon and put in a great team performance to give the side confidence heading into a tough week which has two games in four days. 

Teams:

Bristol City: Baggaley, Evans, Matthews, Humphrey, Daniels, Wellings, Palmer, Bissell, Harrison (Salmon 65’), Purfield, Mastrantonio (Logarzo 80’)

Subs: Hãland, Rafferty, Wilson, Collis, Layzell, Jones

Arsenal: Zinsberger, Schnaderbeck, Beattie, Williamson, Van De Donk, Nobbs, Mead, McCabe, Foord, Miedema

Subs: Wubben-Moy, Maritz, Maier, Gut, Stenson (GK), Mace

Key moment: 

Following Harrison’s brilliantly taken opener City managed to soak up all the pressure put on them by Arsenal, but eventually the hosts managed to break down the door. 

McCabe flew down the left in space and cut the ball across the edge of the area for Nobbs who dispatched the ball into the side netting and bring Arsenal level just before half-time. 

Momentum shifter. 

Player of the match: Emma Bissell

There were stand-out performers all over the park for Bristol City this afternoon, which makes it hard to pick one individual.

With Baggaley in inspired form, as well as Palmer and Daniels playing excellently out of position, all three would warrant a shout for the Player of the Match. 

However, young Emma Bissell was making her full Barclays FAWSL debut against formidable opposition and she stepped up the to the plate with a tireless performance in both attack in defence and often provided City with an outlet in the wide channels.

Workhorse.