On Wednesday evening Fa Women’s Continental league cup fever took over Hertfordshire. Arsenal Women hosting Manchester City Women in the semi-final, played out of Meadow Park, home of Borehamwood Football Club. Going into the game. Today’s host beat Aston Villa Women by three goals to nil. Whilst the guest got to this stage, stomping past Bristol City Women. Scoring six goals at Ashton gate stadium. After unpredicted interest in the match up required it to be moved from the Robins usual ground. Showing the incredible growth in attention, since our Lionesses tasted success in the Euros final. Something their male counterparts are yet to do.
Meadow Park is located in Borehamwood Herefordshire. Hosting fixtures for Borehamwood Football Club, as well as Arsenal Women and under twenty-one teams. Following a long-standing friendship between the sides. Driving to the stadium is fairly simple should you have a car. With the ground situated within a short distance from major roads, such as the M25. A1 and M1. Furthermore. The stadium is serviced by the local train station. Elstree & Borehamwood only a twenty-minute walk away. Passing the town centre filled by a vast range of food outlets. An undeniable massive McDonalds can be spotted on final approaches to the ground.
Before the match. Supporters experienced difficulties entering the stadium. Tickets showing as scanned, despite this not being the case. Stewards letting fans in via a fire exist situated next to the turnstiles. Once through. There was a lengthy queue for the food options. However, places to eat once served were plentiful. With bench’s around. A club shop also on offer. Giving people a chance to purchase the latest goods. A total of 1795 in attendance.
On the pitch. Manchester City got the opening opportunity. Controlling possession, with great passing patterns just outside the box. Unable to find a break through. Until an effort was hit from distance. Shortly followed by a powerful punch by the keeper. Keeping the game scoreless on four minutes. Counter attacking quickly, arsenal attacked with speed and purpose. Hard hit attempt from close range kept out by the travelling shot stopper. Having a go at goal. The guest got a chance, causing a low catch. Making a marvellous run Lauren hemp heaped ahead. Past her marker, getting a shot, slipping wide. Starting the second half. Neither team were able to do much. Struggling to sneak into the final third, preventing chances. Being stopped equally by their opposition. Playing it around the back. Arsenal were ascending into issues. High presenting visitors venturing forward inch by inch. Putting pressure, against tiring legs. Launching an impressive effort. Lauren help had a chance, which almost broke the deadlock. narrowly missing the target. Going out for a corner. Rifling a remarkable effort, the guest got the atmosphere up with a volley. Smacking into the side netting. Weaving her way into the area. Chloe Kelly came forward. Battering the ball on target, coming out for a corner, something which was common this evening. Clanging against the crossbar at the other end. Arsenal edged very close to taking the lead. Letting fly thanks to a lovely hit by a host player. As the clock hit eighty-four minutes. Manchester City managed to find a way to clear the ball off the line. Proving to be the theme for the rest of normal time. Seven minutes added before the end. Going on for much longer. With the teams still tied. The game went to extra time, as temperatures dropped. Leaving visiting fans with a longer wait to head home. Early into the restart, the host had finally scored. Crossed into the area, tapped into the net by a guest defender. Goal credited to Stina Blackstinus. Leading to a spell of exhaustion football in the second period of extra time. Before a full time whistle finally came.
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