A second-half wonder-strike from England international Alex Scott rescued a point against newly formed Notts County Ladies, on a night at Meadow Lane that boasted a 1,583 strong attendance.
After a strong pre-season against the likes of Reading Ladies, and off the back of a 2-1 win against Coventry in the FA Cup on Sunday, the Ladies ‘pies faced Arsenal in their first league game. Arsenal, much like County, are very much a new-look side, seeing around six departures over the summer, importing Japanese internationals Ohno and Kinga, who both looked sharp as the match went on.
In fact, it was Notts who started better, despite missing forward Ellen White. Instead, Jess Clarke played up front, and put in a fantastic effort, going close early on with two good efforts.
Clarke looked dangerous all night and scored after 27 minutes. The ball was threaded through to her feet, and after pivoting on the spot, curled the ball around the Arsenal ‘keeper.
The game fluctuated in possession early on, with both new-look teams trying to settle into the match and win the midfield battle. The Lady Magpies were shading it, however, and dangerous runs from Sweetman-kirk, Susi, and Clarke had the Arsenal back four pinned down, making great tackles.
Not long after the goal, Arsenal went close after a cross from the corner flashed across the goal. Any contact from either team would have sent it in, but it eluded all.
The Arsenal goalkeeper, Byrne, was forced to make another great save when Susi latched onto a dangerous ball; the ‘keeper spreading herself and denying County a deserved second.
Arsenal began to get more into the game as it approached half-time, keeping good possession, but ultimately not giving Carly Telford too much to do in the County goal. Notts did have an appeal for handball turned down, but the score was 1-1 at HT.
Shelley Kerr’s Arsenal side came out a different animal in the second half, and from the first minute, began to trouble the Magpies, forcing a fantastic diving save from Telford.
Arsenal’s goal eventually came in the 53rd minute, with Ohno’s initial strike blocked with a last gasp dive from Bradley, but the ball trickled back out to Alex Scott on the edge of the box, who smashed the ball over the County ‘keeper and into the top corner.
Five minutes later, Arsenal veteran Kelly Smith spurned an opportunity to put the away side ahead, and after that, the game settled down, with possession fluctuating, much like the early portion of the first half.
Arsenal were shading the half however, and showing their strength in depth, brought on some useful substitutes such as Anouk Hoogendijk, the stadium announcer, just about managing to pronounce her name!
Kelly Smith rattled the ‘County bar with 20 minutes to go, with the ball dropping down, arguably over the line, but with no goal-line technology available, the officials adjudged it did not in fact cross the line.
The Magpies had a solid shout for a penalty turned down shortly after, with Alex Scott appearing to bring Susi down right in front of goal, much to the consternation of the Derek Pavis stand! No penalty was given, however.
Arsenal once again failed to finish off the job, with the ball hitting the bar, and getting cleared off the line twice, before a shot was subsequently blocked and scrambled out for a corner. This was the last real opportunity for both sides and the match ended 1-1.
The Magpies, although disappointed to not hold onto the win, must be delighted to hold an Arsenal side which has dominated in recent years, winning the title in the past nine of ten years. Missing Ellen White was a crucial loss for the home team, with Jess Clarke deservedly winning player of the match, but looking understandably tired towards the end.
County suffered two more injuries, with Katie Hoyle and Anna Green both suffering troubling-looking injuries.
The Lady ‘Pies now look to Sunday when they travel to Everton