Substitute Chioma Ubogagu left it late to level matters for Arsenal Ladies, as they came from behind to secure an opening point of the new Women's Super League season against Notts County Ladies. Former Gunner, Ellen White, had an eventful evening, breaking the deadlock and swiftly missing a penalty in an even 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane.
The Gunners made the trip to the East Midlands in an identical matchup to their WSL campaign last-term, and handed league debuts to Jemma Rose, Vicky Losada and Natalia Pablos Sanchon, whilst handing a second league and WSL debut to returning striker, Lianne Sanderson.
County began their league season last weekend against Chelsea Ladies at Meadow Lane, and made one change from the team that narrowly lost 2-1 to the Blues. In came Aileen Whelan for Fern Whelan, as the Magpies stuck with the bulk of the side that took Chelsea the distance, including former Arsenal striker White.
Arsenal Ladies, keen to banish the memories of their slow start last year, were swiftly out of the blocks with Alex Scott delivering a dangerous cross from the right hand side after just 18 seconds, which narrowly missed Pablos Sanchon and Sanderson in the Notts County area. The Gunners continued their attacking intent in the early few minutes as Sanderson found herself with her back to goal inside the Magpies box, but her audacious back-heeled flick ended as a tame first attempt at goal for the visitors.
As the game settled and the hosts started to establish themselves, it was the North Londoners still maintaining possession, and perhaps frustrated with the scenario, County's Rachel Williams was lucky to not pick up a caution for an apparent barge on Gunners defender Emma Mitchell. Shortly after, the Magpies threatened the Arsenal goal for the first time, as a Danielle Buet in-swinging free-kick caused confusion in the oppositions area, leaving visiting 'keeper Emma Byrne breathing a large sigh of relief, with the ball dangerously drifting out of play.
Pedro Martinez Losa's side, after a bright beginning, were now stifled by the hosts defence, although Losada showed her passing ability in the 24th minute when she played a delightful through ball to the on-rushing Jordan Nobbs, who misjudged the Spaniard's pass. Nobbs then turned provider a minute later, as her through ball was just too strong for the pacey Danielle Carter, who in part, was a little too eager for referee Stephen Ross, as he blew up for a foul on a County defender.
Just as the Gunners were starting to create openings, they were stunned in the 28th minute with a well-worked free-kick routine from their East-Midlands hosts, after Williams was felled just outside the North Londoners area. As Laura Bassett approached to strike, she feigned to fool the Arsenal defence, and the ball was laid off to the side for ex-Gunner White to slot in from just outside the box and put the Magpies 1-0 ahead.
With Losa's side still reeling, White found herself through on goal and appeared to be tripped as she crossed defender Rose, to which referee Ross agreed, and awarded the home side a penalty. Replays revealed the accidental tangle of legs was initially outside of the box, however, a still jubilant White had the opportunity to double Notts County's lead against her former employers.
Having scored a minute earlier and caught up in the moment of scoring against the Gunners, White dragged her penalty wide as Arsenal would argue justice was done for the harshly awarded spot-kick.
During the final quarter of the half, Arsenal continued to struggle in the final third as they searched for the equaliser, whilst the Magpies, buoyed by their goal, put the Gunners defence under intense pressure, but to no avail as the half-time whistle blew with Rick Passmoor's side leading 1-0.
During half-time, clearly affected by the earlier foul against her, defender Mitchell was replaced by young midfielder Jade Bailey, as the Gunners appeared to make a slight tactical change for their second-half setup.
The change gave the North Londoners a renewed impetus within the early stages of the second period, although the hosts equally continued where they left off towards the end of the first-half. Without any clear-cut chances for either side, both attacks were continuing to threat the opposing goals, as Casey Stoney and Carter narrowly missed the ball within the County area, and Williams drew a save from Byrne at the other end.
With the Gunners in continual search of a leveller, midway through the half the game entered a stop-start period of cautions and substitutions, which played into the hands of Passmoor's team. Arsenal midfielder Nobbs was booked for a challenge on Jess Clarke, whilst Losa made his second change of the game by bringing on debutant Ubogagu, for the ineffective Sanderson.
As the tie ticked into the final quarter Dunia Susi became the first Notts County introduction, replacing Whelan, whilst fired-up White was cautioned after going in late on 'keeper Byrne, which resulted in a fracas in the visitors area between herself and Gunners defender Scott. A few moments later Stoney then received a yellow card from Ross, as she sought retribution on former teammate White, holding on when the Magpies striker had open-field to run in to.
Ubogagu's arrival had brought fresh pace to Losa's side for the latter stages of the half, and the Spaniard's change midway through the second period paid off in the 85th minute, as the London-born American collected a pass just outside County's area and immediately spun and struck a sumptuous left-footed strike into the bottom left hand corner of Carly Telford's goal.
It was reward for an impressive cameo from the winter signing, and could have been better for the Gunners if Caroline Weir had not wasted a decent free-kick opportunity approaching injury-time, as the game eventually ended with the spoils shared in a 1-1 draw.
With both sides incorporating new faces and styles so early into the campaign, it will be a welcome away opening point for Arsenal boss Losa, and important first point on the board for Notts County boss Passmoor after their opening day loss.
Attentions now turn to the Women's FA Cup for the Gunners and Magpies as in 10 days time they face Chelsea and WSL2 oufit Aston Villa Ladies respectively, in the quarter-final stage of the competition.