Taking advantage: Spain international Marta Corredera punished defensive errors with two goals. Picture: Joshua Smith

Published: 20 August, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

MATCH-winner Marta Corredera says that Arsenal Ladies will go into their big crunch game against Chelsea this Sunday “in confident mood” after beating the Blues in the Continental Cup. 

The Spanish midfielder took full advantage of two defensive errors to bag a brace and earn the Gunners a 2-0 victory over their London rivals on Sunday at Staines Town FC, a result that puts them top of their group. 

There’s no doubting this weekends rematch is a much bigger affair, however, with Arsenal trailing Chelsea by two points in the race for the Women’s Super League title with just four games to go. Corredera is hoping to see a repeat of the “energetic approach” that helped them win in the cup. 

“We’re excited about this match because it is so competitive here,” she told Arsenal.com. “It is very important – we want the three points. 

“On Sunday there was so much effort from everyone. 

“We worked hard all week to prepare as much as we could to be ready for that match and I think those two goals are the result of that hard work. 

“None of it was luck. We needed to force those mistakes for the goals – the mistakes don’t appear alone.” 

Reflecting on the 2-0 defeat Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who use to go to Parliament Hill School in Highgate, made it clear she has a lot to work on in training this week. 

“If we could have improved any area of our game, it would have been to test their goalkeeper more,” she said. 

“It’s up to us to improve and spend some time this week working on our play in the final third so that we start taking some of those chances. 

“Ultimately two indecisive moments at the back have cost us the game. It’s certainly something we’ll look at in training and try to improve upon as a whole team.” 

The Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea takes place at Meadow Park, Boreham Wood FC, at 6pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions, and can be bought by visiting www.arsenal.com or on the day.