Advantage Arsenal
It is strong advantage Arsenal as they Gunners defeated Glasgow City 3-0 in the first leg of the last 16 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League at The Hive, Barnet.
It was always going to be difficult for the Scottish Champions with Arsenal 17-1 favourites with the bookies before the match and the former Champions League winners showed their quality throughout the game.
Captain Steph Houghton gave Arsenal the lead on 14 minutes when she headed home from close range after an Arsenal corner.
Danielle Carter made it 2-0 for the home side just before the break. Arsenal were given a free chance to cross after a throw in and Carter turned and fired home from 5 yards out to give her side a two goal cushion at half time.
Carter was on the score sheet again, less than 15 minutes after the re-start as she headed into the back of the net from inside the 6 yard box after a long high ball to the back post was headed into the danger area by White.
Commenting on the match, City Head Coach, Eddie Wolecki Black said, “Our plan was always to come here and try and keep the second leg alive. We were never going to be adventurous as Arsenal have so much pace in attack. The disappointing factor is the goals we have lost. The first one was a set piece and last two were crosses into the box which we didn’t deal with. The longer it went on the more we were frustrating Arsenal, but the second goal just before half time knocked the stuffing out of us a little.
“We now have the second leg to look forward to and hope to put in a good performance for our home crowd.”
Glasgow City will play the second leg against Arsenal on Wednesday at Petershill Park, 7pm. The match is heading for a sell out with only a few tickets remaining available from Greaves Sports in Glasgow City Centre.
Arsenal – E Byrne, S Houghton, G Flaherty, A Scott, J Nobbs, E White (G Davison), R Yankey (K Smith), D Carter, K Little, K Chapman, E Mitchell
Arsenal Subs – C Rowlands, Y Tracy, K Smith, G Davison, C Weir, J Bailey, F Ayisi
Glasgow City– L Alexander, R Corsie, L Ross (E Black), E McSorley, N Docherty, J Fishlock, L Crichton, R Littlejohn (S Crilly), S Lappin, J Love, C Murray.
City subs – D Dalziel, L Robertson, D Pagliarulo, S Crilly, D O’Sullivan, E Black, J Nelson
Attendance 869
Pictured: Top - Arsenal score their first goal. Bottom - Danielle Carter holds off Jo Love
09.11.13
