08/01/12: Herts Womens Cup Third Round

Leverstock Green Ladies 0 Arsenal Ladies Reserves 6

Anyone who knows anything about football knows that the most dominant force in the ladies game is Arsenal Ladies, who rarely fail to bring home the silverware. Last season the female Gooners were dominant both domestically and internationally with the first team winning the treble (the domestic Super League, FA Cup and Continental Cup). This season the first team are already in the quarter finals of the Champions League, whilst the reserve side are unbeaten and placed second in their league, 2 points adrift of the leaders with 2 games in hand.

The thought of Levy Green hosting Arsenal Reserves at the Lane and keeping the scoreline in single figures would require something special. However that's exactly what the Green Army managed on Sunday during an exhibition of football of the highest calibre from the visitors, who Levy hosted in the County Cup. Levy Ladies were clearly nervous from the first whistle but were not overawed by an incredibly talented Arsenal side who regularly score well into double figures against most opponents of Levy Green's standard.

Levy held their own early on and it took the visitors 15 minutes to break the deadlock through some neat interplay amongst a strong well oiled midfield. The visitors soon extended their lead to 2 and found a third with 30 minutes on the clock. However Levy were stout and resolute in defence with outstanding performances across the park. In the third minute of injury time in the first half, Arsenal turned the screw further adding number four, scored from an acute angle, when it seemed the ball was destined to go out of play to end the half.

Arsenal's movement and passing in the second half was nothing short of sensational. The Green Army stuck to their game plan of restricting the visitor's space wherever possible and it took Arsenal 15 further minutes to add number five to their tally. The rest of the game was all one way traffic with Arsenal peppering the Levy Green goal but being denied by keeper Haidee Cable, who was playing the game of her life between the sticks. Arsenal continued to dominate as expected, but they were made to wait until injury time again before adding their sixth and final goal of the match.

Levy Green Ladies have had little to celebrate this season but it will take a long time before they forget the experience of playing against opposition of this calibre, many of whom will likely be the national and international stars of tomorrow within the ladies game.

The Green Army will be back to business in the Eastern Region League next weekend when they entertain Hutton at the Lane.

Team: Cable, Russell, Randall, Davies, Saich, Hollick, Rudderham, Potton, Buckley, Bevil, Subryan

Subs: Eaton, Braham, Fearns

Subs not used: Hanafan, Bonich