Sanderson comes up trumps for Arsenal

Arsenal LFC pipped Brøndby IF to first place in UEFA Women's Cup second qualifying round Group 4 after 1-0 a Matchday 3 victory against their Danish opponents.

Breidablik test
A year ago Brøndby defeated Arsenal at this stage as both teams progressed from their pool, leaving the Gunners with a tie they would lose to eventual champions 1. FFC Frankfurt. This time Icelandic outfit Breidablik stand in the way of Arsenal and a place in the last four, while Brøndby are likely to face a much sterner challenge next month as they tackle the 2006 runners-up 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam.

Five-goal Fleeting
The Danish champions set the early pace in the Russian-hosted mini-tournament as Cathrine Paaske Sørensen struck a hat-trick inside 26 minutes in a 5-1 win against 1. FC Femina Budapest. Arsenal were grateful for a superb display from one of their forwards too, as Julie Fleeting scored all five goals in a 5-4 triumph against WFC Rossiyanka who were inaugurating their new 5,000-capacity Krasnoarmeysk stadium.

Arsenal storm home
Two days later the leading pair had secured progress. Arsenal stormed to a 6-0 victory against Budapest. Alex Scott's low cross was turned into her own net by Aranka Paraoanu on 20 minutes, and Jayne Ludlow swiftly added a second. Katie Chapman scored the third just after the hour and Rachel Yankey made it four six minutes later. Ludlow volleyed in Yankey's corner in the 73rd minute, and there was drama soon after as Budapest goalkeeper Gabriella Kövesi was sent off for bringing down Lianne Sanderson, only for the striker to have her penalty saved by substitute custodian Istvánné Bauer. However, Bauer was beaten by Gemma Davison after another Yankey corner.

Duo through
So now Brøndby knew victory against Rossiyanka would confirm both their progress and Arsenal's. After the ambitious Russian champions struck first through Tetyana Verezoubova on 15 minutes, Brøndby were not to be denied and late in the first half Anne Dot Nielsen and Kicki Nielsen both scored to turn the tide and secure a 2-1 victory.

Sanderson winner
With supremacy at stake, a tense encounter between Brøndby and Arsenal was settled by Sanderson as she scored the only goals in the 48th minute. The hosts Rossiyanka ended their campaign in style by overcoming Budapest 4-2, all six goals coming in the first half, to finish third and leave the Hungarian visitors at the foot of the group.