Week two of the GulfWeekly-sponsored Arsenal Bahrain Ladies League season eight featured another exciting set of matches.
The Seef Dental girls were looking to extend their winning start to the league campaign, while the Arsenal U18’s were having their first run out this season on Wednesday.
A little against the run of play, the Seef Ladies took an eighth-minute lead when Terri Stevens burst through the U18’s defence and smashed the ball home giving goalkeeper Aya Hassoun no chance.
Their joy did not last long though, as only a minute later, a superb through ball was played for Teddy Walton who ran on to guide it home.
After these two early goals, there were a lot of attacks and generally good midfield play. Solid defending and good goalkeeping from both teams meant that no further goals were scored and the game ended in a one-all draw.
In the other match, Joga TFA had a lot of chances but failed to capatalise thanks to eagle-eyed Natalie Harake in the Arsenal goal. The Arsenal Ladies had more opportunities and scored a goal in each half. First Alex Ziegler ran down the right side of the field, cut in and scored. Soon after, Lucy Hogg converted a header to seal the points with a 2-0 score line.
On Saturday, Division 1 action continued when the Eastern Flames played the Arsenal U21’s, with both teams searching for their first wins after losses in their opening games.
The U21’s began the match in earnest, taking a two-goal lead after just six minutes.
It started after a great run down the right by Darya Vyshegorodskaya, who beat her opponent for pace, cut inside and struck a shot that was too strong for the keeper to handle. Three minutes later, Theodora Walton found herself free just outside the box and finished the move with a well-taken shot.
With half-time approaching, the Arsenal girls scored another goal thanks to a superbly struck shot by Eleni Tsappis.
The U21’s sealed the match in the second half when the prolific Walton again rounded the Flames defence for a clinical finish.
The Flames continued to battle for a consolation goal, but a determined midfield performance from Hayley Kunde and excellent work from defenders Jennifer Loveland and the Moir sisters – Rose and Lauren – kept the U21’s goal intact for a 4-0 victory.
The next fixtures feature the Flames playing Arsenal Ladies and the Arsenal U21’s taking on Joga TFA this evening. Meanwhile, Seef Dental and the Arsenal Gunners will meet on Saturday.