Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
FOR the first time in the history of the GulfWeekly-sponsored Arsenal Soccer School Bahrain Ladies League, Eastern Flames from Saudi Arabia are sitting at the top.
They achieved the sporting milestone after a thrilling 4-3 win over the Junior Gunners.
Although not on their best form and up against a spirited young team playing without their inspirational coach Deena Rahman for a second week, Flames won a tense tussle.
Goals from Amy Goodwright, Leah Montenegro and a brace by Wumi Andrews for the Eastern Flames were enough to secure victory despite a valiant effort by the Junior Gunners who replied through Hayley Kunde and Roquaya Janahi after the Flames conceded an own goal.
Joga TFA overwhelmed the National Under-16s who played without their regular goalkeeper and were soundly beaten 9-0 through goals from hat-trick heroine Ashwaq Ebrahim, a brace by Zahra Hassan, and Eman Ebrahim, Sara Alaali, Ebba Khamees and Bayan A Rasool also on the score sheet.
Improving Desert Divas beat Venus with two excellent goals from Shauna Nearing in the second half, along with a great midfield performance from Anna Hansen and some steadfast defending throughout.
This season’s league is proving to be the tightest to date. Rahman, its founder and senior coach at Arsenal School Bahrain, said: “It is great to have such a close fight for the GulfWeekly title.
“Last year’s winners and the young national team are finding it tough without any senior players to support them but they are continuing to fight hard and this will develop them for the future.
“Divas have gone from strength-to-strength since losing their first game heavily, and the Flames sitting at the top of the league is testament to how much they have improved over recent seasons.’’
