Arsenal 1 (Stoney 9' pen) - Notts County 1 (O'Sullivan 87')
Starters: Byrne, Scott, Mitchell, Stoney, Fahey, Kinga, Ohno, Nobbs, Knaak, Yankey, Carter
Substitutions: Ayisi for Knaak 72', Smith for Ohno 90'
Unused Subs: Chamberlain, Murray, Knaak, Weir, Sampson, Oliver
Its a big big day because we actually have HIGHLIGHTS!
Round two between Notts County and the Arsenal Ladies ended the exact same way the FA WSL season opener ended. A 1-1 tie. This time around however, Arsenal left the comeback to Notts County after Casey Stoney converted a penalty kick early on to take the lead 1-0. Danielle Carter earned the penalty kick for the Gunners after being taken down in the box by Amy Turner. Carter had stolen the ball from Turner only to be pulled down from behind. Cheeky, that one.
Despite holding the lead for almost 80 minutes, it wasn't enough to grab a much needed three points. Notts County found an equalizer late when the Arsenal defense just couldn't clear a ball from the area, and Fiona O'Sullivan was there to volley it home. A point is better than none, but considering the slow start the Gunners have had, they need to get as many points as they can as quickly as they can.
If you're wondering why Kelly Smith didn't start or even appear in the game until very late, she apparently failed a fitness test during warm ups and was pulled from the starting XI in favor of German loanee Turid Knaak. Can't pass em all can ya?
Also missing today were the lovely youngsters Jade Bailey and Leah Williamson. The English duo is with the England U-20 WNT for the upcoming U-20 Women's World Cup and could be missing for quite a bit. Friendly reminder that tournament begins August 6th and ESPN has the rights to those games. If you're recovering from World Cup fever like many of us here at TSF are, I highly suggest you tune in and watch.
Up next the Gunners have a FA WSL matchup with league leading Birmingham City, who is currently sitting pretty with 17 points in seven games. However, things could go in Arsenal's favor as the Blues are missing five players for the aforementioned U-20 Women's World Cup, and it could make things a bit more difficult for Birmingham.