FA WSL CONTINENTAL TYRES CUP QUARTER-FINALS
Friday 5th August
Arsenal 3-2 Notts County (Att:421)
Arsenal led after 8 minutes when Casey Stoney headed Fara Williams’ corner over Megan Walsh but 4 minutes before the break Notts County levelled when Fern Whelan headed in Jo Potter’s free-kick.
Half-time substitute Jess Clarke took 7 minutes to make an impact when she curled into the far corner to put the Lady Pies ahead.
But with eight minutes remaining fellow replacement Kelly Smith lashed into the corner from 20 yards.
And with 2 minutes remaining, the lively Asisat Oshoala was hauled down inside the box and Williams converted the penalty to send Arsenal into the semi-finals.
Sunday 7th August
Birmingham City 1-0(aet) Liverpool (Att: 712)
Manchester City 4-1 Doncaster Rovers Belles (Att: 1,153)
Sheffield FC 0-2 London Bees (Att: 225)
Birmingham City 1-0 Liverpool (aet)
Liverpool striker Caroline Weir shot into the side-netting early on after a neat Laura Coombs pass and then saw her close-range effort deflected behind for a corner.
Coombs then clipped the outside of Ann-Katrin Berger’s left-hand post after 25 minutes.
The Blues enjoyed plenty of first-half possession but were unable to get their shots away despite a steady stream of crosses from wing backs Mel Lawley and Kerys Harrop.
Sharp defending by right back Jess Carter denied Liverpool in the 47th minute when she cleared off the line after Weir latched onto a pass from Katie Zelem.
Carter produced another superb intervention when Liverpool replacement Emma Lundh looked certain to score in extra-time.
But Birmingham raised their game in extra-time with Coral-Jade Haines and Harrop forcing fine saves from Siobhan Chamberlain before Haines sent the Blues through.
Manchester City 4-1 Doncaster Rovers Belles
Izzy Christiansen’s first-half goal had put City in front, but they had to wait until the 76th minute to extend that lead through Georgia Stanway.
Marta Bakowska-Mathews pulled one back for Donny but late strikes from Toni Duggan and Jane Ross sealed the win.
Sheffield FC 0-2 London Bees
After a cagey first half which finished goalless, the Bees came out fighting in the second half, with Ashleigh Goddard opening the scoring just after the hour mark when heading in Evdokia Popadinova’s cross.
And with Sheffield FC pouring forward in the closing stages, Evie Clarke took advantage of some defensive gaps to send the Bees into the final four.
It more than avenged the 5-0 drubbing against the same opponents just three weeks ago, and having already beaten holders Chelsea in the competition, the Bees’ dream of glory are far from over, while Sheffield FC were left ruing their chances of prevailing from the all FA WSL 2 clash.
Source – fawsl.com
