Arsenal Ladies moved up to second in the WSL 1 following a 2-0 victory over bottom of the table Bristol Academy last night.
Goals from Carla Humphrey and Vicky Losada in the first half gave the Gunners their first league win of the new campaign.
The London side bounced back from defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter final at the weekend, easing past Bristol and handing them their fifth loss in a row in all competitions.
Pedro Martinez Losa made three changes to his side that were knocked out the cup, bringing in Siobhan Chamberlain between the sticks, and outfield players Humphrey and Rachel Yankey.
The Gunners started the game brightly and Danielle Carter was unlucky to see her effort cleared off the line in the opening exchanges.
The 20-year-old was relentless all evening and after just 15 minutes provided Humphrey with an unmissable chance to put the Londoners ahead.
Another of the night’s star performers, Jordan Nobbs, nearly doubled Arsenal’s lead before the break after some neat link-up play with Leah Williamson, but her effort was deflected wide by Bristol’s Grace McCatty.
Former Vixen Jemma Rose then had a looping header cleared off the line before Losada extended the Gunners advantage with her first goal for the club.
Emma Mitchell’s deep delivery was headed back across goal by Alex Scott and Losada took a killer touch before volleying the ball in to the top corner.
Bristol threatened rarely in the first half but did get a chance just before the whistle when Nadia Lawrence fired a fierce effort towards goal but Chamberlain had it covered.
Arsenal’s dominance continued after the break although they had less clear-cut chances and the visitors defence looked visibly less shaky. Nobbs sent a 25-yard volley inches over the crossbar just after the restart before Bristol’s Sophie Ingle and Lawrence tried their luck with the spectacular.
As the game opened up the hosts had their best chance of the game to make it three, Carter combining brilliantly with Scott before sending a low strike in to the side netting.
The Vixens then had a decent penalty shout waved away by the referee before Scott almost caught goalkeeper Mary Earps off her line with an ambitious lob.
The introduction of Lianne Sanderson off the Arsenal bench saw the Gunners final chance of the match come to fruition, as the England international saw her volley expertly saved by Earps before Carter headed the rebound against the post.
Although Losa was happy with the three points he felt his Gunners girls should have been more clinical with their chances.
“We needed a reaction. I have to congratulate my players because it was a difficult mental situation and they responded really well.
“Especially in the first half, it was a good reaction, good energy, pressing high and playing good football.
“We scored two goals but we could have scored more. I’m very happy with the team.”
