Arsenal Ladies 4-0 Lincoln Ladies
By David Brenchley
Kim Little hit a brace, Julie Fleeting scored from close range and Danielle Carter bagged another sensational strike as the Lady Imps just could not cope with the hosts.
It was Little who took the corner that lead to the opening goal after 22 minutes. Skipper Jayne Ludlow headed the set piece into the six yard box and Fleeting was on hand to poke home.
The Gunners went into the interval with a three-goal advantage after a quickfire double just five minutes before the break.
First Little was allowed to run at the Lincoln defence and, inevitably, managed to find enough space to fire across goal and into the net.
Then the game was put beyond doubt when Rachel Yankey crossed and Carter, who scored two wondergoals on her last outing at Borehamwood, convincingly volleyed past Nicola Hobbs with her left foot.
The second half was a bit of a non-event and another moment of magic from Little sealed the result 10 minutes from time as she dribbled past two defenders and let fly from 25 yards.
The game took a while to get going and Carter had the first real chance on the quarter hour mark when she latched onto a mis-placed Rachel Daly clearance and fired over.
After half an hour, Hobbs made a superb save from a Ludlow header that seemed destined for the goal while the only first half chances Lincoln had came when Jodie Taylor was free but was crowded out and Remi Allen shot over from long range.
The Lady Imps improved in the second period and, after Ludlow, Little and Yankey had shot over the bar, they had a couple of chances to nick a consolation goal.
Megan Harris forced Emma Byrne into her only save of the game from range and, with minutes remaining, Sophie Barker headed wide from a Sue Smith cross.
The victory gives Arsenal renewed hope after their loss to Everton on Sunday. The Toffees went on to defeat leaders Birmingham and open the title race up again.
The top two go head-to-head at the DCS Stadium in Stratford in what could very well be a title decider.
