Arsenal Ladies made it through to the FA Women’s Cup quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shootout win away to Birmingham City Ladies (1-1 aet).
This was the opening game of the 2016 season and the League will start at home to Reading on Wednesday.
As expected, it was a tough game for the Gunners with Blues taking the lead through former player Freda Ayisi on the 26th minute.
Danielle Carter scored the equaliser on the 79th-minute that sent the game into extra time.
Fara Williams, Natalia Pablos Sanchon, Kelly Smith, Danielle Carter and Jordan Nobbs all converted their spot-kicks while Charlie Wellings hit the post for Birmingham.
.@ArsenalLadies kick off their season with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against @BCLFC: https://t.co/mga6xHH7hd pic.twitter.com/p9XRuBwqG6
— Arsenal Ladies (@ArsenalLadies) March 20, 2016
Pedro Losa had selected the following starting 11 for this cup tie: Van Veenendaal; Scott, Rose, Stoney, Williamson; Janssen, Williams, Nobbs; Van de Donk, Carter, McCabe.
The following players were on the bench: Byrne, Losada, Natalia, Corredera, Smith.
.@JordanNobbs8 scores decisive penalty after @BCLFC and @ArsenalLadies initially ended 1-1 https://t.co/O4mRRZScXB pic.twitter.com/Hj8NEQVPT4
— The FA WSL (@FAWSL) March 20, 2016
Losa left Vyan Sampson, Josephine Henning, Emma Mitchell, Chloe Kelly and Asisat Oshoala at home.
McCabe and Janssen were replaced at half-time by Losada and Pablos Sanchon while Kelly Smith made a welcome return to the team in the 74th minute, coming on for Jemma Rose when the Gunners were still 1-0 down.
It will be fascinating to see who will make the 18-player squad for the League opener on Wednesday against Reading.
Thank you to the travelling fans today for your support! See you Wednesday when we kick off our league campaign. pic.twitter.com/jNjaG8TMOi
— Arsenal Ladies (@ArsenalLadies) March 20, 2016
Other FA Women’s Cup results:
Doncaster Belles 1 Chelsea Ladies 4
Liverpool Ladies 0 Man City Women 2
Reading Women 2 Millwall Lionesses 0
Notts County Ladies 3 Durham Women 1
Yeovil Town 0 Sunderland Ladies 2
Aston Villa Ladies 1 Everton Ladies 0
Brighton and Hove 3 SC Albion 4
The FA has made the Round 6 draw and Arsenal Ladies will be at home to Notts County, a team renowned for their ability to park the bus and hit the opposition on the break.
The tie will be played on 3rd April.
The full draw:
Manchester City v Sporting Club Albion**
Sunderland v Reading
Chelsea v Aston Villa*
Arsenal v Notts County
*denotes second level team
** denotes third level team