Conti class helps Torres triumph

Torres Terra Sarda gave themselves a great chance of progressing to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's Cup as goals in either half from Pamela Conti and Maria Rita Guarino earned the Sardinian side a 2-0 victory against Arsenal LFC in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Open encounter
The visitors had started confidently in Sassari, and were first to threaten as Angela Banks's cross nearly found the head of Julie Fleeting in the 14th minute. However, Eleonora Carrus had already forced Emma Byrne into action and the home side did find a way past the Arsenal goalkeeper in the 19th minute, Guarino creating the chance for Conti to open the scoring.

Torres on top
Chiara Gazzoli and Merete Pedersen both had chances as Torres looked to press home their slender advantage, with Conti then shooting just too high and Arsenal defender Andrea Asante forced to clear a dangerous cross from the same player just before half-time.

Ceroni chance
The home side continued to look the more likely scorers as the second half kicked off as Samantha Ceroni missed the target with another effort, although Banks might have brought the visitors level but her shot flew just too high. There was more bad news for the English champions in the 69th minute as Hayley Kemp was substituted with a suspected dislocated knee, meaning club captain Faye White came on for her first game since the Women's Cup group stage last month.

Opportunist second
Fleeting's teasing ball across the area caused problems in the Torres defence as the visitors sought a way back into the match, but instead the goal came at the other end as the Italian team doubled their lead in the 77th minute. White's pass back fell short, and Guarino was on hand to score.

Late chances
Ceroni nearly added another when her fizzing effort went over the bar but Fleeting also threatened from distance. The final act saw Gazzoli force a fine save from Byrne. The second leg takes place on 31 October at Boreham Wood FC.