Ladies: Arsenal 4-2 Birmingham - Report

By Connor Armstrong at The Hive

SUMMARY

Two goals from substitute Louise Quinn saw us pick up our second win of the Spring Series with a 4-2 victory over Birmingham City.

We endured a nightmare start when Rachel Williams gave the visitors the lead with a powerful header.

Heather O’Reilly pulled us level with her second goal for the club, with Danielle Van de Donk putting us in front before another Williams header made the scoreline 2-2.

Quinn came off the bench with 25 minutes remaining, replacing Alex Scott as Pedro Martinez Losa switched to three at the back - and the Ireland international scored her first goal for the club just 13 minutes later.

As we edged towards victory, Quinn popped up again in the opposition area to turn the ball past Sophie Baggaley to ensure we secured all three points.

SETTING THE SCENE

Losa kept faith with the central defensive pairing of Anna Patten and Lotte Wubben-Moy, who lined up with Alex Scott and Leah Williamson completing the back line.

Anna Moorhouse made her debut in goal, with Sari van Veenendaal on the bench.

Fara Williams paired up with Jordan Nobbs in central midfield.

Beth Mead led our attack from the start for the first time, with O’Reilly, Van de Donk and Danielle Carter behind her.

FIRST HALF

When Williams headed past Moorhouse with just two minutes played, our supporters could’ve been forgiven for thinking it would be a tough afternoon.

But the response from the side was exactly what was required, with Williams hitting the crossbar with a curling left-footed free-kick.

The pressure continued to rise on the Birmingham back line, with Baggaley required to turn behind a Carter header from a Williamson cross.

Just before the interval that continual pressure paid dividends, with O’Reilly receiving the ball from Van de Donk before drilling into the net.

SECOND HALF

The second half began in encouraging fashion, with Moorhouse alert on the rare occasions she was tested.

Van de Donk then fired in a second goal to give us the advantage, although Williams provided another header to almost instantly level the scores.

Enter stage-left an unlikely hero in the form of Quinn, with Losa looking to change formation and ultimately change his side’s fortunes.

Within 25 minutes the Irish defender scored twice, firstly with a fine header before adding our fourth goal by being alert to flick the ball home in the area.

We now move up to second in the table, with nine points from five games, although both Chelsea and Manchester City have two games in hand.