Already-relegated Doncaster Rovers Belles were comprehensively beaten, 6-0, by reigning Womens Super League champions Arsenal Ladies at the Keepmoat Stadium in South Yorkshire.
Perhaps surprisingly, the game started off cagey with the Belles, who had only picked two points from the first seven games of the season, vying for control in midfield with their North London visitors. But then the FA Cup Holders switched gears and the Arsenal express train rolled into town.
Before the game the Doncaster hierarchy stated: "I'm not prone on exaggeration, but I'll put my money on Doncaster Rovers Belles being champions within ten years.", but when the Gunners grabbed a foothold in the game the ambitious statement began looking like an even taller order than may have been first anticipated.
Rachel Yankey's corner on 28 minutes was met by the head of Gilly Flaherty, whose bullet header flew into the corner of the goal, beyond Nicola Davies.
It was the lacklustre Belles defensive performance during this five minute period which defined the match; by the time it was over the Belles trailed by three goals and the tie was effectively over as a contest. Arsenal doubled their lead when Lyndsey Cunningham's sloppy pass was intercepted by Jordan Nobbs who cheekily chipped the effort from inside the area into the back of the net. The third was scored when Yankey crossed to Gemma Davison who passed the ball across the penalty area which, via a deflection, found itself Kim Little who struck the shot into the corner of the goal.
It was the lacklustre Belles defensive performance during this five minute period which defined the match; by the time it was over the Belles trailed by three goals and the tie was effectively over as a contest. Arsenal doubled their lead when Lyndsey Cunningham's sloppy pass was intercepted by Jordan Nobbs who cheekily chipped the effort from inside the area into the back of the net. The third was scored when Yankey crossed to Gemma Davison who passed the ball across the penalty area which, via a deflection, found itself Kim Little who struck the shot into the corner of the goal.
Doncaster regrouped for a while after that, holding out to the 67th minute before Arsenal grabbed a forth. Substitute Ellen White seemed to sneak through on goal unnoticed by the host's defense. Perhaps Doncaster defender Rhiannon Roberts may have felt she could have nicked the ball from the attacker's toes, but missed the opportunity as the blonde neared goal thus outpacing the defender. One-on-one the striker kept her composure to stroke the ball past Davies who was left the pick the ball out of the net for a fourth time.
The Doncaster defence was again exposed five minutes later. White's powerful sprint meant the away side were two-on-one with the keeper. Davies narrowed the recent-scorer's angle but she was left to slide the ball across the six-yard box where Danielle Carter slid the ball into the empty net. 5-0.
Three minutes later, on 75 minutes the scoring was complete. Captain Steph Houghton's free-kick was deflected off the wall and flew past the diving Davies. Despite stopping the rout, Doncaster undoubtedly have a difficult job upping spirits and confidence ahead of their fixture with Liverpool on Saturday evening.
Arsenal Ladies are certainly title contenders, the club sit two points behind leaders Liverpool however have a game in hand, and it was the visitors who had the first three half-chances, all squandered by Steph Houghton. Kim Little's corner on twelve minutes was aimed at goal by Houghton's boot however the effort was blocked by the the Doncaster defence. The second Houghton effort was from the edge of the box and flew high and wide. Rachel Yankey then played a perfect ball to Houghton who found herself unmarked on the left-hand side of the penalty area however the attempt was blasted over the bar.
Arsenal looked lively down the right too. Gemma Davison dispossessed Lauren Cresswell before appearing to play a perfect pass to Jordan Nobbs who could only send it straight at the Doncaster stopper. Davison increased in confidence from this move and attempted a solo run two minutes later, reaching the byline she tried a dangerous looking cross across the six-yard box but the Doncaster defence were able to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Arsenal refused to get frustrated and it was less than a minute later that Flaherty knocked in the opener.
Arsenal had become the dominate force in the match and another attack on the right nearly resulted in another goal. Davison played through Alex Scott, but the first-time effort was sent straight at the keeper. Nobbs made amens for her teammate's chances with a beautiful finish for Arsenal's second soon after, before Little made it three.
They could have found a fourth within the next five minutes, Carter's flick-header found Rachel Yankey who shrugged off Leandra Little's pressure but sent the shot inches wide.
Late in the first-half a goal for the hosts may have turned the tides of the game, and they did have two opportunities. Bethany England played in Sue Smith who cut inside from the right, Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne appeared to slip but Smith's effort couldn't hit the target.
Shortly after Millie Bright was fouled on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, the Doncaster attacker sent the ball over the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.
Doncaster's momentum continued for a short time in the second half. England's left-footed cross was met by Bright but the header was deflected just wide. England showed silky skill to weave a way into a scoring opportunity but wide went the effort. After fifty-three minutes England had another chance, but her half-volley disappeared over the bar after Smith's cross. Bright then had a low effort which the keeper parried low to her right who then saved Victoria Williams' header from the resulting corner kick.
Davies made her finest save of the tie at the other end from the resulting counter attack, substitute Emma Mitchell was sent through one-on-one, but Davies narrowed the opportunity and denied the shot. But she couldn't do much with Ellen White's shot five minutes later. The penultimate goal was then scored by Cater with eighteen minutes from time.
Arsenal could have had six much sooner if it wasn't for the woodwork. Mitchell rounded Davies but was denied by the post, Carter's attempt in the aftermath was too denied by the left-hand post. But Houghton soon added the sixth goal of the night from a deflected set-piece.
Arsenal harried for a magnificent seven. Kim Little maneuvered a majestic run but the long-range shot was spectacularly denied by Doncaster's Davies.Little's corner then fell to Freda Ayisi but her chance was cleared off the line.
Doncaster still challenged for a consolation goal. Naomi Chadwick's cross found England who turned the defender, but who's right-footed shot was sent just wide of the right hand post, as The Belles went a fourth consecutive game without scoring as they suffered their third consecutive defeat.
Doncaster Team: Nicola Davies, Lyndsey Cunningham, Leandra Little, Kasia Lipka, Sue Smith, Katie Brusell, Millie Bright, Victoria Williams, Ashleigh Mills, Lauren Cresswell, Bethany England. Subs: Emma Higgins, Naomi Chadwick, Julie Melrose, Jemma Purfield, Danni Cox, Rhiannon Roberts. Emma Johnson
Arsenal Team: Emma Byrne, Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty, Liara Grant, Jordon Nobbs, Rachel Yankey, Gemma Davison, Danielle Carter, Kim Little, Katie Chapman, Alex Scott, Subs: Yvonne Tracy, Ellen White, Emma Mitchell, Caroline Weir, Freda Ayisi, Cherie Rowlands.
Arsenal Ladies are certainly title contenders, the club sit two points behind leaders Liverpool however have a game in hand, and it was the visitors who had the first three half-chances, all squandered by Steph Houghton. Kim Little's corner on twelve minutes was aimed at goal by Houghton's boot however the effort was blocked by the the Doncaster defence. The second Houghton effort was from the edge of the box and flew high and wide. Rachel Yankey then played a perfect ball to Houghton who found herself unmarked on the left-hand side of the penalty area however the attempt was blasted over the bar.
Arsenal looked lively down the right too. Gemma Davison dispossessed Lauren Cresswell before appearing to play a perfect pass to Jordan Nobbs who could only send it straight at the Doncaster stopper. Davison increased in confidence from this move and attempted a solo run two minutes later, reaching the byline she tried a dangerous looking cross across the six-yard box but the Doncaster defence were able to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Arsenal refused to get frustrated and it was less than a minute later that Flaherty knocked in the opener.
Arsenal had become the dominate force in the match and another attack on the right nearly resulted in another goal. Davison played through Alex Scott, but the first-time effort was sent straight at the keeper. Nobbs made amens for her teammate's chances with a beautiful finish for Arsenal's second soon after, before Little made it three.
They could have found a fourth within the next five minutes, Carter's flick-header found Rachel Yankey who shrugged off Leandra Little's pressure but sent the shot inches wide.
Late in the first-half a goal for the hosts may have turned the tides of the game, and they did have two opportunities. Bethany England played in Sue Smith who cut inside from the right, Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne appeared to slip but Smith's effort couldn't hit the target.
Shortly after Millie Bright was fouled on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, the Doncaster attacker sent the ball over the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.
Doncaster's momentum continued for a short time in the second half. England's left-footed cross was met by Bright but the header was deflected just wide. England showed silky skill to weave a way into a scoring opportunity but wide went the effort. After fifty-three minutes England had another chance, but her half-volley disappeared over the bar after Smith's cross. Bright then had a low effort which the keeper parried low to her right who then saved Victoria Williams' header from the resulting corner kick.
Davies made her finest save of the tie at the other end from the resulting counter attack, substitute Emma Mitchell was sent through one-on-one, but Davies narrowed the opportunity and denied the shot. But she couldn't do much with Ellen White's shot five minutes later. The penultimate goal was then scored by Cater with eighteen minutes from time.
Arsenal could have had six much sooner if it wasn't for the woodwork. Mitchell rounded Davies but was denied by the post, Carter's attempt in the aftermath was too denied by the left-hand post. But Houghton soon added the sixth goal of the night from a deflected set-piece.
Arsenal harried for a magnificent seven. Kim Little maneuvered a majestic run but the long-range shot was spectacularly denied by Doncaster's Davies.Little's corner then fell to Freda Ayisi but her chance was cleared off the line.
Doncaster still challenged for a consolation goal. Naomi Chadwick's cross found England who turned the defender, but who's right-footed shot was sent just wide of the right hand post, as The Belles went a fourth consecutive game without scoring as they suffered their third consecutive defeat.
Doncaster Team: Nicola Davies, Lyndsey Cunningham, Leandra Little, Kasia Lipka, Sue Smith, Katie Brusell, Millie Bright, Victoria Williams, Ashleigh Mills, Lauren Cresswell, Bethany England. Subs: Emma Higgins, Naomi Chadwick, Julie Melrose, Jemma Purfield, Danni Cox, Rhiannon Roberts. Emma Johnson
Arsenal Team: Emma Byrne, Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty, Liara Grant, Jordon Nobbs, Rachel Yankey, Gemma Davison, Danielle Carter, Kim Little, Katie Chapman, Alex Scott, Subs: Yvonne Tracy, Ellen White, Emma Mitchell, Caroline Weir, Freda Ayisi, Cherie Rowlands.
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