Arsenal Ladies were held to a 1-1 draw after a battling performance against Bristol Academy at Stoke Gifford Stadium on Saturday.
Chioma Ubogagu had swept Arsenal into an early lead when she turned Alex Scott’s cross in from 12 yards, but Nikki Watts crashed a low strike off the post from 18 yards to salvage a point for Bristol.
Pedro Martinez Losa was forced to make one change to the side that drew 0-0 at Chelsea last Thursday as Lianne Sanderson came in for the injured Jordan Nobbs.
Danielle Carter shook off a knock to retain her place in the starting line up but without Kelly Smith, Siobhan Chamberlain and Leah Williamson, Losa had to name four teenagers on the bench.
Bristol had the brighter start but Emma Byrne reacted well to hold onto Grace McCatty’s header from Angharad James’ 10th-minute free-kick.
The Gunners soon got a foothold in the game and took the lead when Scott’s cross from the right was turned home from 12 yards by Ubogagu.
Sanderson nearly doubled Arsenal’s lead on the stroke of half-time but fired wide from 12 yards as Bristol waited for an offside flag that never came.
The hosts came into the game more after the break and found an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining.
Frankie Brown’s ball in from the right was missed by James but it eventually broke to Watts, whose shot from the edge of the box went in off the post.
Arsenal Team: Byrne, Scott (C), Rose, Mitchell, Stoney, Sanderson (67’), Bailey, Losada, Ubogagu (76’), Sanchon (62’), Carter
Subs: Augustus, Weir (67’), Kelly, Oliver, Humprety (76’), Yankey (62’)
Bristol Academy Team: Earps, Ladd, Brown, Dykes, McCatty (C), Evans, James, Watts (86’), Murray (80’), Ingle, Lawrence
Subs: Bird 62, Passariello (80’), Dalton (86’), Davis
Report and photo courtesy of arsenal.co.uk
