Bonner nets equaliser as Ladies share eight goals with Arsenal
Captain Gemma Bonner netted a dramatic equaliser as Liverpool Ladies played out a 4-4 draw away at Arsenal Ladies in the Spring Series on Thursday night.
Both sides served up a fantastic advert for women’s football in an enthralling encounter.
Goals from Alex Greenwood, Natasha Harding and Caroline Weir had given the Reds a 3-1 half-time lead, but the hosts came back to make it 4-3, only for Bonner to rescue a point for Scott Rogers’ team.
Liverpool made a great start to the proceedings and took the lead on 13 minutes when a corner from Greenwood evaded everybody and went straight into the back of the net.
Two minutes later, it was almost 2-0 as the in-form Harding set off on a superb run which ended with a shot inches wide.
The Gunners then equalised on 36 minutes through Chloe Kelly, who struck at the near post after a cross from Danielle Carter.
Niamh Charles came so close to quickly restoring the lead with a great effort that was brilliantly saved by Sari van Veenendaal, but the Reds weren’t to be denied as Harding pounced from a corner to make it 2-1.
And, on the stroke of half-time, they netted again - Weir met a Charles cross to send a header into the back of the net.
Free video: All the goals from the 4-4 classic
Rogers had to make a change at the back when ex-Gunner Casey Stoney was forced off the field, and the home side began to take advantage of the reshuffle.
Arsenal pulled a goal back on 53 minutes through an excellent strike from Carter, and the same player then levelled the scores just before the hour mark.
In what was turning into an absolute thriller, Liverpool found their form again; Greenwood sent an effort just wide before Shanice van de Sanden was denied by Van Veenendaal.
However, the home team always looked a threat going forward and, with just 10 minutes remaining, Jordan Nobbs grabbed what Arsenal felt was to be the winner.
But, incredibly, the Reds equalised themselves on 83 minutes through Bonner, who met a Greenwood corner to send the away supporters wild with delight.
Liverpool Ladies are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Birmingham.
Liverpool Ladies: Chamberlain, Hodson, Greenwood, Stoney (Zelem, 52), Bonner, Ingle, Weir, Coombs, Charles (Clarke, 75), Harding, Van de Sanden (Longhurst, 89).