Sunday 21 September 2014 00:15, UK
Veteran striker Kelly Smith came off the bench and completed a 16-minute hat-trick as Arsenal fought back from 2-0 down to complete a remarkable 4-3 win at Bristol Academy in the FA Women’s Super League.
And Jess Clarke’s first-half header ensured Notts County Ladies moved a step closer to securing their Super League status for another year after they upset leaders Chelsea Ladies at Meadow Lane.
Arsenal did in the hard way in Bristol, who made an early breakthrough when the visitors failed to clear Angharad James’ second minute corner and Jasmine Matthews had the simple task of smashing home from close range.
Bristol then doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break – Nikki Watts scoring from the spot after Spanish international Natalia was brought down by Alex Scott.
Smith entered the fray three minutes before the interval and played a major part in transforming the game in the second half.
Four minutes in she rifled home a left-footed shot off the inside of the post, and was then on hand to bag the 53rd minute equaliser after Danielle Carter nodded Rachel Yankey’s cross back across the face of goal.
Arsenal went ahead on 56 minutes when Scott scored after latching on to Jordan Nobbs’ long, angled pass and extended their advantage after 65 minutes, Smith completing her treble from the spot after Jemma Rose had felled Carter.
Though Natalia netted a third goal for Bristol in the 72nd minute, the home side could not conjure up an equaliser.
At Meadow Lane Katie Hoyle’s pinpoint free-kick found the unmarked Clarke five minutes before the break and despite facing large periods on the back foot they held on for the win and dent Chelsea's title hopes.
League leaders Chelsea signalled their intentions inside the first minute when Laura Coombs struck a 35-yard shot, which Carly Telford had to tip over the bar.
The visitors continued to look dangerous, but County took the lead when Hoyle’s free-kick was headed in at the back post by Clarke for her 14th goal of the season.
Chelsea looked for a response and Eniola Aluko came so close when her shot from the left crashed off the post and bounced out.
Aluko tested Telford at her near post early in the second-half and soon after the goalkeeper was in serious trouble when a slip let Rachel Williams through on goal, but Rachel Corsie got round to stop a certain goal.
Ji So-Yun shot narrowly over as Chelsea pressed for the equaliser, but some resolute defending saw County hold on, meaning a point next week against Everton Ladies will be enough for survival.
