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2010 FA Women's Cup final

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2010 FA Women's Cup Final
Event2009–10 FA Women's Cup
Arsenal Ladies Everton Ladies
2 3
after extra time
Date3 May 2010
VenueCity Ground, Nottingham
Player of the MatchNatasha Dowie
RefereeHong Eun-Ah (South Korea)[1]
Attendance17,505
← 2009
2011 →

The 2010 FA Women's Cup Final was the 40th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. It was the 17th final to be held under the direct control of the Football Association (FA). The match was contested by Arsenal and Everton at the City Ground on 3 May 2010. Arsenal entered their fifth consecutive final having won the last four. Already the most successful team in the competition's history with 10 wins from 10 finals, Arsenal sought an 11th victory overall. Everton had one previous final appearance, losing 1–0 to Charlton Athletic in 2005. An earlier incarnation of the club, known as Leasowe Pacific, had lost the 1988 final and won in 1989.

Everton won the match 3–2 after extra time, with two goals from Natasha Dowie either side of an own goal from Arsenal's Faye White. Arsenal had twice equalised; through a Kim Little penalty and a goal from Julie Fleeting.

The match attracted a crowd of 17,505 and was broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Arsenal lost their first ever FA Women's Cup final and Everton became the first non–London club to win the trophy since Doncaster Belles 16 years earlier.

Route to the final

See also: 2009–10 FA Women's Cup

Arsenal

Arsenal needed extra time to eliminate their fourth round opponents Sunderland, whom they had defeated in the previous year's final. Katie Chapman had given Arsenal the lead in the weather-delayed home fixture, only for Ciara Grant to score an own goal in the final minute. Kim Little scored a hat-trick in extra time to secure Arsenal's passage.[2]

In the fifth round Arsenal welcomed Leeds, their vanquished final opponents from 2006 and 2008, to Meadow Park. When Leeds' Ellen White equalised Jennifer Beattie's opening goal, Jayne Ludlow and Rachel Yankey then gave Arsenal a 3–1 lead. England winger Jessica Clarke scored a late goal for Leeds, but Arsenal held on to reach the quarter finals.[3] A week later the quarter final saw a visit from another Yorkshire outfit, Doncaster Rovers Belles. Arsenal beat their old rivals 5–0 with a goal from Yankey and Kim Little's second hat-trick of the competition. Doncaster's Rachel Williams' own goal completed the scoring.[4]

The semi final versus Chelsea was contested on neutral ground at Staines Town FC. Inspired by the return to form of Julie Fleeting, who had given birth the previous July, Arsenal swept to a 4–0 win.[5] Goals from Little, Faye White and Ludlow added to Fleeting's opener to clinch Arsenal's place in the final.[6]

Everton

Everton began their campaign with a home fixture against FA Women's Premier League Southern Division club Queens Park Rangers. Jill Scott, Rachel Unitt, Michelle Hinnigan and Fara Williams all scored to put Everton four goals ahead, before Cherrelle Albert reduced the arrears. Gwennan Harries scored two late goals, either side of Beth Curtis' goal for QPR, to make the final score 6–2.[7]

The fifth round saw more Southern Division opposition travel to Everton's Rossett Park home, in the shape of Portsmouth. The south coast team were dismissed even more emphatically than QPR had been, with Toni Duggan scoring a hat-trick in a 7–0 win. Scott, Natasha Dowie, Williams and Jody Handley also scored for Everton.[3]

In the quarter final Everton met top-flight opponents for the first time as Blackburn Rovers were the visitors. Duggan equalised Danielle Sheen's ninth-minute goal for Blackburn, then Michelle Evans scored the winner early in the second half.[4]

Haig Avenue in Southport hosted Everton's semi final against Barnet. Another Southern Division team, who had contested the 1997 final as Wembley Ladies, Barnet proved worthy opponents and almost took the lead in the first half. But two minutes into the second period, Dowie capitalised on a defensive error to put Everton ahead. Williams' overhead kick in the 86th minute then sealed Everton's place in the final.[8]

Arsenal Round Everton
Sunderland (PLN)
H
4–1
(aet)		 Chapman, Little (3) Round 4 Queens Park Rangers (PLS)
H
6–2		 Scott, Unitt, Hinnigan, Williams, Harries (2)
Leeds Carnegie (PLN)
H
3–2		 Beattie, Ludlow, Yankey Round 5 Portsmouth (PLS)
H
7–0		 Duggan (3), Scott, Dowie, Williams, Handley
Doncaster Rovers Belles (PLN)
H
5–0		 Yankey, Little (3), Williams (o.g.) Round 6 Blackburn Rovers (PLN)
H
2–1		 Duggan, Evans
Chelsea (PLN)
Wheatsheaf Park, Staines
4–0		 Fleeting, Little, White, Ludlow Semi-Final Barnet (PLS)
Haig Avenue, Southport
2–0		 Dowie, Williams

Background

Since their first final win over Doncaster Belles in 1993, Arsenal had reached nine more, winning all of them. Liverpool Ladies were beaten 3–2 in 1995, then Croydon by the same score in 1998. In 1999 Southampton Saints lost 2–0 to Arsenal. 2001 saw full-time professional Fulham defeated 1–0. In 2004 and 2007 Charlton Athletic lost 3–0 and 4–1, respectively, while Leeds United were thrashed 5–0 in 2006 then 4–1 in 2008. The 2009 final saw Arsenal beat Sunderland 2–1 to win the Cup for a record 10th time.[9]

Everton's manager Mo Marley had been part of the Leasowe Pacific team which lifted the Cup for the only time in 1989.[10] They defeated Friends of Fulham, for whom Hope Powell scored twice, 3–2 at Old Trafford. This avenged their 3–1 defeat to Doncaster Belles in the previous year's final. Playing as Everton, the club reached the final again in 2005, but were beaten 1–0 by Charlton Athletic.[9]

Everton had emerged as the main challengers to Arsenal's dominance of women's football in England, since Charlton Athletic had their funding withdrawn in 2007. Everton's 1–0 win in the 2008 Premier League Cup final was Arsenal's first domestic defeat for a period spanning two years and 58 matches.[11][12] During this time Arsenal had won an unprecedented quadruple, including the 2007 UEFA Women's Cup, and were described as invincible.[13][deprecated source] When Everton held Arsenal to a 0–0 draw in April 2008, it was the first league points Arsenal had dropped for 17 months.[14] In the 2008–09 FA Women's Premier League season, Arsenal won the title from Everton on goal difference after beating them 1–0 on the final day.[15]

The rivalry continued into the 2009–10 campaign and became increasingly fractious. When Everton beat Arsenal 2–1 in extra time at the Premier League Cup semi final, Arsenal's goalkeeper Emma Byrne was sent off for punching Everton striker Natasha Dowie.[16] During Arsenal's 1–0 league win at Everton in April, Jayne Ludlow was red carded for an "aggressive outburst" at Fara Williams.[17] This meant that club captain Ludlow was suspended for the final.

"We sometimes haven't delivered on the big occasion, but we can beat anybody on our day. We've done that against Arsenal in the past - and we can do it again."

–Mo Marley, Everton manager

Before the match Arsenal were motivated by a desire to prove they were still England's top club, despite several leading players departing for the Women's Professional Soccer league in the United States. Since taking over as manager from Tony Gervaise in February, Laura Harvey had presided over a 100% record which she was keen to extend at Everton's expense.

Everton wanted to atone for their failure in the 2005 final. According to manager Mo Marley they had performed to 10% of their capabilities in that match.[18] Fara Williams considered that Everton were unfortunate to lose the recent league match with Arsenal and would take heart from that performance. Williams and her team mates also wished to "bounce back" from their shock Premier League Cup final defeat to Leeds.

Veteran full-back Becky Easton had played in Cup final defeats with Everton in 2005, Liverpool in 1995 and 1996, as well as captaining Doncaster Belles in their 2002 defeat to Fulham. She had been with Liverpool's forerunners Knowsley United, but was cup-tied for their appearance in the 1994 final. Easton said: "I've been trying for years and years and haven't been able to do it [win the Cup] before. It would obviously be great for the club, because we haven’t won it as 'Everton', but on a personal note it would just be absolutely fantastic."[19] Rachel Brown had played for Liverpool as a 15-year-old schoolgirl in the 1996 final, but was injured in 2005 and had not played in the final again since. She told the Liverpool Echo: "I wouldn't say I'm in the twilight of my career but it's been a long time since 1996, so I'm very determined to put things right."[20]

Match

Team news

The team managers Marley and Harvey, colleagues in coaching the England women's Under–19 team,[10] named identical 4–2–1–3 formations.[21]

Both teams named attacking lineups

Despite questionable fitness Julie Fleeting led Arsenal's attack, supported by Kim Little and flanked by wingers Rachel Yankey and Gemma Davison. It was Fleeting's fifth FA Women's Cup final after appearances in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 but after enduring a difficult pregnancy, a hernia had left her unable to train properly or play for 90 minutes. With Jayne Ludlow suspended and Katie Chapman having signed for Chicago Red Stars, Arsenal's midfield comprised Ciara Grant—latterly a centre back—and utility player Jennifer Beattie. Regular goalkeeper Emma Byrne played behind central defensive pair Faye White and Gilly Flaherty, with Niamh Fahey and Corinne Yorston in the full-back positions.

Everton named a back five of experienced England international players: goalkeeper Rachel Brown, Rachel Unitt, Emily Westwood, Lindsay Johnson and Becky Easton. Fara Williams and Jill Scott played in the centre, with captain Jody Handley on the right and 18-year-old Toni Duggan on the left. Michelle Hinnigan started behind centre forward Natasha Dowie, niece of Iain. In 2007 Dowie had rejected a transfer to Arsenal in favour of Everton, stating her desire to "knock Arsenal off their pedestal in women's football."[22]

Summary

The match began in heavy rain, causing difficulty to both sets of players. After 16 minutes, Fara Williams' firmly struck shot was palmed away by Byrne, but Jody Handley collected the ball on the right-wing and passed to Natasha Dowie who scored from close range after Faye White blocked her first attempt.

Two minutes before half time Arsenal equalised when Gemma Davison outpaced Rachel Unitt down Arsenal's right flank. Unitt's sliding tackle tripped Davison, conceding a penalty kick and earning a yellow card from referee Hong. Kim Little sidefooted her 42nd goal of the season from the penalty spot, low to the goalkeeper's left.

In first half stoppage time Arsenal fell behind again when Faye White, under pressure from Jill Scott, used her head to divert Toni Duggan's high left-wing cross past Emma Byrne and into her own goal. Nine minutes into the second half Julie Fleeting found space in the penalty area and in the act of falling over, looped Rachel Yankey's low cut back over Everton goalkeeper Brown to make the score 2–2.[23]

Everton Ladies celebrate

Fleeting was withdrawn after 70 minutes, for 16-year-old schoolgirl Danielle Carter. Everton manager Marley had already replaced cautioned left-back Unitt with Fern Whelan on 63 minutes.[24]

The match finished level and with both teams tiring, extra time contained less incident. Two minutes prior to the end of extra time, Everton substitute Brooke Chaplen passed the ball through the Arsenal defence to Natasha Dowie who broke into the right hand side of the penalty area. After beating the onrushing goalkeeper Emma Byrne in a race to the ball, Dowie knocked the ball into the net from an acute angle for her 28th goal of the season.[23] Elated, Dowie ran into the crowd and hugged a random little boy: "I don't even know if he was a supporter," she later told reporters.[25]

Details

Arsenal Ladies2–3 (a.e.t.)Everton Ladies
Kim Little 43' (pen.)
Julie Fleeting 54'		 (Report) Natasha Dowie 16', 119'
Faye White 45' (o.g.)
Attendance: 17,505
Arsenal
Everton
ARSENAL:
GK 1 Republic of Ireland Emma Byrne
DF 2 England Corinne Yorston
DF 6 England Faye White (c)
DF 5 England Gilly Flaherty
DF 19 Republic of Ireland Niamh Fahey
MF 7 Republic of Ireland Ciara Grant Yellow card 113'
MF 14 Scotland Jennifer Beattie
MF 16 Scotland Kim Little
FW 11 England Rachel Yankey
FW 10 Scotland Julie Fleeting downward-facing red arrow 70'
FW 12 England Gemma Davison
Substitutes:
DF 3 Republic of Ireland Yvonne Tracy
GK 13 England Becky Spencer
FW 20 Wales Helen Lander
FW 25 England Lauren Bruton
FW 28 England Danielle Carter upward-facing green arrow 70'
Manager:
England Laura Harvey
EVERTON:
GK 1 England Rachel Brown
DF 2 England Becky Easton
DF 6 England Lindsay Johnson Yellow card 87'
DF 5 England Emily Westwood Yellow card 39'
DF 3 England Rachel Unitt Yellow card 42' downward-facing red arrow 63'
MF 4 England Fara Williams Yellow card 73'
MF 8 England Jill Scott
MF 10 England Michelle Hinnigan downward-facing red arrow 77'
FW 7 England Jody Handley (c)
FW 9 England Natasha Dowie
FW 11 England Toni Duggan downward-facing red arrow 111'
Substitutes:
DF 12 England Alex Culvin
GK 13 England Nicola Hobbs
DF 14 England Brooke Chaplen upward-facing green arrow 77'
DF 15 England Fern Whelan upward-facing green arrow 63'
MF 16 England Michelle Evans upward-facing green arrow 111'
Manager:
England Mo Marley

Player of the match

Match officials

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Five named substitutes.
  • Maximum of three substitutions.

Records

  • Arsenal Ladies lost an FA Women's Cup final for the first time.
  • Everton's victory was the first for a club from outside London since Doncaster Belles in 1994.

Post match

The match had been played at Nottingham's City Ground for the third time in four seasons, where organisers had hoped to break the final attendance record of 24,582 set in 2008 at the same venue.[26] The game was shown live on Sky Sports 2, attracting viewing figures of 139,000.[27] Full match commentary was broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Radio Merseyside.

References

  1. ^ a b "Una's Special Day". Durham County Football Association. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  2. ^ Leighton, Tony (19 January 2010). "Kim Little treble secures Arsenal Ladies FA Cup win". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b Leighton, Tony (7 February 2010). "Everton & Arsenal progress in Cup". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b Leighton, Tony (14 February 2010). "Arsenal power past Doncaster Belles in FA Women's Cup". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  5. ^ Leighton, Tony (4 April 2010). "Julie Fleeting inspires Arsenal to FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. ^ Leighton, Tony (4 April 2010). "Arsenal set up Everton Cup final". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. ^ Leighton, Tony (24 January 2010). "West Ham earn shock win over Bristol in FA Women's Cup". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  8. ^ Leighton, Tony (14 March 2010). "Everton reach Women's Cup final". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  9. ^ a b Garin, Erik (16 June 2011). "England - List of Women Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  10. ^ a b Leighton, Tony (2 May 2010). "England dug-out duo become rivals in FA Women's Cup final at Nottingham". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  11. ^ Leighton, Tony (25 February 2008). "Rivals set for double showdown". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  12. ^ Kessel, Anna (28 February 2008). "Everton eye an upset against unbeatable Arsenal". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  13. ^ Fraser, Alan (8 May 2007). "Invincible Gunners complete a remarkable Quadruple". Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  14. ^ Kessel, Anna (4 May 2008). "The invincibles". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  15. ^ Masters, James (25 September 2009). "Fara ready for Toffees' opener". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  16. ^ Leighton, Tony (6 December 2009). "Arsenal Ladies beaten again as Everton reach Premier League Cup final". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Ladies lose to the Gunners". Everton F.C. 12 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  18. ^ "Charlton Women 1-0 Everton Ladies". BBC. 2 May 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  19. ^ Lavery, Glenn (1 May 2010). "Easton promise". The Football Association. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  20. ^ O'Keeffe, Greg (29 April 2010). "Everton FC Ladies' keeper Rachel Brown desperate to finally taste FA Cup glory". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  21. ^ Leighton, Tony (3 May 2010). "Everton upset Arsenal to win FA Women's Cup". BBC. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  22. ^ Hemmings, Mark (22 January 2010). "England and Everton football ace Natasha Dowie to visit Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield". Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  23. ^ a b Leighton, Tony (3 May 2010). "Natasha Dowie's late strike seals FA Cup victory for Everton". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  24. ^ "Arsenal Ladies 2 Everton Ladies 3: match report". The Daily Telegraph. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  25. ^ Khaleeli, Homa (4 May 2010). "Natasha Dowie: 'It's like a dream'". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  26. ^ "Forest to host Women's Cup showpiece". The Football Association. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  27. ^ "2011: The case for commercial investment in women's sport". Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation. Retrieved 10 June 2012.

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