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LEAGUE Cup action returned to the Soccer City Stadium with the Arsenal U21 Red team facing previous league and cup double winners, Eastern Flames, from Saudi Arabia.
The young Reds started really well and took an early lead through Ayaa Ashraf, only for it to be pegged back by the Flames’ Amy Goodwright.
Despite playing some great football and having chances to restore their lead, the Flames scored again with an unstoppable effort from Leah Montenegro.
The youngsters kept up their determination and will to win, but with four minutes to go, it looked as if all their effort was going to end in gallant defeat. However, the youngest player on the field, Teddy Walton, stepped up with a goal to level the scores and, just as both coaches were preparing themselves for the sudden-death penalty shoot-out, Regan McClellan ran down the left, cut inside her marker and shot into the near corner for a dramatic winner.
Coach John MacKenzie was understandably delighted with his team. He said: “We have known that these girls had ability for a long time, but they proved tonight that they also have determination and a great team spirit. They have played well all season and deserved their win today.’’
In the other quarter-final clash, the U21 Yellows played Arsenal Ladies Whites and again gave a good account of themselves.
Some of the Yellows were playing their first competitive game but they were reinforced by outstanding performances from Georgia Moulder, Roquaya Janahi and Alia Tariq.
The seniors opened the scoring through Alana McConalogue and the goal was cancelled out after some sustained pressure by a superb strike from outside the area by Georgia.
The girls could not keep up the pressure thoughout and despite some heroic work by goalkeepers Fatima Khalid and Yasmeen Khattab in each half, the Ladies ran out 5-1 victors with further goals from Alex Ziegler, another from Alana and a brace from Dalal Abdulrahim, one of which was a lovely headed goal from a Lucy Hogg corner.
The semi-final draw took place straight after the matches and it threw together Joga TFA versus Arsenal Ladies Whites and the U21 Reds reward is a match against the Senior Reds. These games will take place on November 20.
Next week the league resumes with Seef Dental playing Arsenal Ladies, and the U21s facing the Flames.
